SCOTTISH Conservative leader Douglas Ross has defended his decision to withdraw his demand for Boris Johnson to resign over the partygate saga, arguing our focus should be on Ukraine.
Ross said “anything else just seems trivial” compared with the war, adding he would support the Government in its efforts to help Ukraine defend itself against the Russian invasion.
The Prime Minister is expected to attend the Scottish Conservative conference in person next week.
The SNP said his decision was an “utterly humiliating U-turn” while the Liberal Democrats said he had “the backbone of a jellyfish”.
READ MORE: Boris Johnson to appear in person at Scottish Tory conference despite calls for him to resign
Ross defends U-turn in BBC interview
Speaking to the BBC on Friday, Ross said: “We should be supporting the Government to support the people of Ukraine, to support the government of Ukraine, because the real threat to everything at the moment is from Vladimir Putin.
“It’s not actions that took place a couple of years ago, serious though they are.
“It’s the actions that are happening right now, with people dying, children losing their lives and a country being destroyed through no fault of their own.”
He continued: “I know political opponents will criticise me for this, that’s fine.
“I’ve had to take a decision looking at what’s happening on the world scene at the moment.
“Looking at the issues that people are contacting me about or speaking about, it dominates our conversations wherever you go at the moment.
“And anything else just seems trivial, it really does seem so small in comparison to a country defending itself against atrocious actions from the Russians and Vladimir Putin.
“And that’s why I think our focus should be on supporting and helping the people in Ukraine, not on personal differences we may have with each other in the UK.”
"He has left them looking ridiculous"
On Thursday night, Ross was ridiculed by SNP Westminster chief Ian Blackford and other opposition parties for the move.
"Only a few weeks ago he was categorical that Boris Johnson should be removed from Downing Street over his repeated rule-breaking," said Blackford. "Now apparently he will roll out the carpet for the Prime Minister at the Scottish Conservative conference and pretend that the no-confidence letter that he submitted with such fanfare never happened.
"And of course, the entire Tory MSP group at Holyrood backed Douglas Ross in his demand that Boris Johnson quit - so they will no doubt be furious that he has marched them up a hill and now left them looking ridiculous."
"He should not be using the Ukraine crisis to go back on his principles"
Meanwhile Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar argued Ukraine was no reason for Ross to backtrack.
"We are right to be defending democracy in Ukraine, but that doesn't mean we stop doing democracy at home," he commented.
"This is a Prime Minister that has broken his own laws and shown contempt for the people of the UK.
"Douglas Ross should not be using the Ukraine crisis to go back on his principles.
“He knows Boris Johnson is not fit to be Prime Minister."
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