Alister Jack accused of 'briefing' against Douglas Ross

There are reports that allies of Boris Johnson believe the Scottish Tory leader may have to quit if the Prime Minister manages to stay in office despite the partygate scandal.

Jack, the Scottish Secretary, is now being blamed for the briefing, the Sunday Times reports.

The MP for Dumfries and Galloway is the only Scottish Conservative to publicly back the Prime Minister – a move that has prompted a backlash from other members of the party.

READ MORE: Douglas Ross's job may be in danger if Boris Johnson stays, Tory insiders say

Speaking about claims Ross’s position as leader is under threat, one Scottish Tory source told The Times: “Alister is behind it. He is destined for the political wilderness when the Prime Minister goes and he knows it. He is on the attack to save his own skin.”

However, one Scottish parliamentarian told the newspaper that the Scottish Tory leader’s decision to “go early and go ugly” in calling for the PM to resign has “boxed him into a corner and might end up in grief”.

They said Ross is viewed from Westminster as acting “childish”, adding that he has “marginalised himself” by publicly calling on Johnson to resign over parties in Downing Street during the height of the Covid pandemic.

Johnson has been accused of lying to and misleading Parliament about whether he attended parties in Downing Street during Covid.

Tory whip MSP Stephen Kerr doesn’t think Ross will be forced out – insisting Johnson will “inevitability” have to go as a consequence of the No 10 gatherings.

Tory MSPs have backed calls for Boris Johnson to resign as Prime Minister

Talking to BBC Scotland’s Sunday Show, he said: “Douglas is staying put.

“Douglas is there for good. Douglas is doing a great job. It’s Douglas Ross’s principled leadership that is, I think, shedding a very bright light on all of this.”

Previously, House of Commons leader Jacob Rees-Mogg attacked Ross in several interviews, calling him a “lightweight”.

Rees-Mogg pointed to Jack instead, saying he was “a much more substantial and important figure”.

Jack reportedly tried twice to dissuade Ross from publicly backing calls for the Prime Minister to resign.

READ MORE: Warning of risk for Scotland as Boris Johnson 'gambles' on lifting Covid curbs

The Scottish Secretary said Ross's decision to come out against the PM, backed by Scottish Tory MSPs, had “jumped the gun”.

He said once Sue Gray's inquiry into Downing Street parties is published, MSPs may have to "reconsider their position", saying they need to "see the full facts".

A spokesperson for the Scottish Conservatives said: “Under the leadership of Douglas Ross, the Scottish Conservatives won 100,000 more votes than ever before in last year’s election.

“Our focus remains on Scotland’s recovery from Covid and exposing the numerous failings of the SNP government.”