DOUGLAS Ross, the referee and MP for Moray, has had his wrists slapped by the Scottish Football Association, after he called for a government crackdown on Gypsies.

According to a report in the Daily Mail, the SFA investigated the remarks made by Ross to the Core Politics website after complaints from members of the public.

The MP was taking part in a light-hearted quickfire interview when he was asked what he would do if he were Prime Minister for one day.

While other politicians talked of world peace, Ross said “tougher enforcement against Gypsies and Travellers”.

The SFA’s compliance officer concluded that the comments fell short of being “discriminatory”, meaning the politician wouldn’t face a disciplinary panel.

An SFA spokesman said: “Mr Ross had been reminded by the Compliance Officer that he should give careful regard to the Scottish FA’s disciplinary rules whilst under its jurisdiction.”

SNP MSP Christina McKelvie said: “Part-time politician Douglas Ross has been a constant embarrassment to Ruth Davidson since being elected – choosing to run the line at football matches instead of turning up for his parliamentary duties.

“But now it seems the SFA take his offensive and divisive comments about Gypsy travellers more seriously than the Tory party.

“This is beginning to look like a pattern – with the Boys’ Brigade taking more serious action than the Tories over their disgraced councillor Alastair Majury and his sectarian tweets.

“Ruth Davidson clearly thinks her party can do and say whatever they want and get away with it.”

Ross told the Mail: “I’m glad the SFA has found that I didn’t breach any rules, and I look forward to drawing a line under this matter.

“The association did remind me about the use of certain language”.