FLEDGLING Scottish Tory chief Douglas Ross has been forced to make a humiliating apology to some of the last survivors of the Second World War after he was caught snubbing a VJ Day anniversary in his constituency to run the line at a football match.

Instead of taking part in the remembrance ceremony in Forres, Scotland’s newest party leader was running the line at Kilmarnock’s match against St Johnstone.

Yesterday he said he was sorry and promised to pay his fee for the game – believed to be around £445 – to Help for Heroes.

The SNP’s Richard Lochhead, who represents Moray in the Scottish Parliament and was at the anniversary event, said it was galling Ross wasn’t able to sacrifice an afternoon for those who had sacrificed so much.

READ MORE: Richard Lochhead: VJ Day controversy shows a pattern is emerging with Douglas Ross

The Tories said Ross received the email saying he’d been selected as a linesman for yesterday’s match on July 23.

That also happened to be the day he met with Boris Johnson in his constituency.

The invite to the VJ Day event was sent to Ross on July 30, which, coincidentally is the day Jackson Carlaw unexpectedly stood down as Scottish Tory leader.

Within hours of that shock resignation, there were reports Ross was keen to take on the top job. He was elected less than a week later.

In a statement released yesterday, Ross said he hadn’t expected there to be a VJ Day event because of coronavirus.

He said: “I was selected to officiate a game before I was invited to the VJ Day event, and I offered apologies in advance that I could not attend.

“I had not anticipated there being an official VJ Day event given the current restrictions due to Covid, but when it became clear there was a conflict, I should have asked to be taken off my game. I got this wrong and I apologise.

“I am a proud and passionate supporter of the armed forces and our veterans. I represent a constituency with a significant military presence and have worked with local and national charities supporting veterans throughout my time as an elected representative.

“I made an error of judgement here and apologise to any veteran who was offended. I will be donating my match fee from the game to Help for Heroes, a charity that does so much across the country supporting our veterans every day of the year.”

The Tories said that Ross would continue on as an official but would “avoid future clashes like this”.

READ MORE: Three other times Douglas Ross' refereeing landed him in hot water

Lochhead said he was glad Ross had apologised.

He said: “The reason why Douglas Ross failed to turn up at the VJ Day 75th Anniversary ceremony in Forres was deeply disappointing and very disrespectful especially given Moray’s long association with the armed services. I am glad that, upon reflection, he has apologised.

“A pattern is emerging with Mr Ross who repeatedly fails to understand the impact of his actions and in this case he failed to grasp the significance of an event that was attended by civic leaders, local serving personnel and veterans.

“To treat such an important and unique ceremony as a diary inconvenience because he wanted to run the line at a football match speaks volumes about the man who is an MP and a party leader who aspires to be First Minister.

“The ceremony was about remembering the sacrifice of previous generations yet the local MP wasn’t even willing to make a small sacrifice to be there.”

It’s not the first time Ross’s side gig has landed him in hot water.

In October 2017, he pocketed £1400 for officiating in a Champions League match in Barcelona.

Unfortunately for the Tory MP, the glamour fixture coincided with a Universal Credit debate in the Commons.

The chair of a local food bank reportedly said they felt “let down” after taking the time to brief Ross on the benefit.

The MP has said he’ll quit refereeing if he becomes First Minister.