Douglas Ross sparks fury by chairing ‘farcical' Holyrood meeting 4000 miles away in Caribbean paradise

EX-TORY leader Douglas Ross was blasted for chairing a Holyrood committee all the way from the Caribbean.
The education committee convenor dialled in virtually to this morning's evidence session from Turks and Caicos.
3
Douglas Ross chaired the Holyrood meeting all the way from the Caribbean
3
He is in the Turks and Caicos for his role in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association
Credit: Getty
3
Scots Lib Dem MSP Willie Rennie asked Ross to hand over responsibilities to the vice convener
But his decision was slammed by Scottish Lib Dem MSP and committee member Willie Rennie.
He said: 'I do not think it is appropriate, convener, for you to be conducting this meeting from the Caribbean.
'I think it does not make you look good, and it does not make this committee look good. I would like you, once again, to reconsider whether this is appropriate, and I would ask you to hand over the responsibilities to the vice convener.'
Mr Ross initially passed on convening responsibilities to Nats MSP and deputy convener Jackie Dunbar, before taking back control after advice from clerks.
The former Tory chief then rejected a suggestion he should leave the meeting and be replaced by a substitute Tory MSP.
Mr Ross is in the Turks and Caicos for his role in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and is set to return to Scotland tomorrow.
SNP MSP George Adam told Mr Ross at the committee: "I am, for the record, not happy. I find this meeting farcical, the fact that you could even think you could do that online from the other side of the world.
"To be fair, it's the best behaved you've been in the past couple of weeks so perhaps being online suits you and not actually meeting people in person is maybe not your best way forward.
"The aggressive manner and the lack of respect you've shown to people who have come to the committee in the past have actually made this Parliament look bad.
"I want to put that on the record because we have tried on numerous occasions to talk to you, take you aside and ask you to do the right thing, but you continue with your continued behaviour and quite frankly I think it makes you look small and pathetic."
Edinburgh Uni boss squirms as refuses to give up his free £140m house to help funding gap
Douglas Ross said: "While I was away from Holyrood on parliamentary business, leading sessions for new and existing MPs on behalf of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, I was still keen to take a full part in the committee session.
'The time difference allowed me to convene this Committee session and then fully participate in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association programme.
'Often MSPs are criticised for being work shy but I don't think that accusation can be levelled at me given my determination to fully take part in this meeting.
'I also note, despite members being informed of my intention to convene the meeting remotely last Friday, no member raised any concerns with me until the meeting began on Wednesday morning.
'I'm very pleased that the session ran so smoothly and all members were able to question the Education Ministers on a number of crucial topics.'
The row comes after the Tories blasted SNP MSP Evelyn Tweed for voting from the Cayman Islands last month.
Ms Tweed voted to keep Scottish Green MSP Maggie Chapman on the equalities committee after a row over her comments about Supreme Court judges.
At the time, Tory MSP Tess White said the decision to vote from abroad showed how 'disconnected' Nats MSPs were with voters, and that 'disillusioned voters will find it appalling'.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Daily Record

3 hours ago

• Daily Record

Humza Yousaf slams 'abuse of anti-terror laws against pro-Palestine activists'

Thousands marched on Saturday calling for an end to the war in Gaza, amid concerns that the Iran-Israel conflict could spark wider regional devastation. Former Scottish first minister Humza Yousaf said the Government was 'abusing' anti-terror laws against pro-Palestine activists at a protest in London this afternoon. Thousands marched on Saturday calling for an end to the war in Gaza, amid concerns that the Iran-Israel conflict could spark wider regional devastation. Protesters waved Palestinian flags, donned keffiyeh scarves and carried signs including "Stop arming Israel" and "No war on Iran" as they marched in the sweltering heat in central London. ‌ Addressing crowds at the national march for Palestine in Whitehall, former SNP leader Yousaf said: 'We gather here once more as the dogs of war once again try to sell us lies, this time about an imminent attack from Iran, just as they did when they lied to us about the weapons of mass destruction they told us Saddam Hussein had. ‌ 'So we stand here and we say to Keir Starmer today what we said to Tony Blair in 2003: 'In our name, don't you dare send our sons and daughters on a frivolous war for your political gain'.' Mr Yousaf added: 'While we stand a stone's throw from Downing Street, let's make it clear to the Prime Minister: You try to intimidate us with your anti-terror laws by abusing them, but you'll never silence us as we speak out against the genocide that you're supporting. 'We're not the terrorists – the ones that are literally killing children, they are the terrorists. Let's say clearly to Keir Starmer: 'End your complicity, stop selling arms to Israel, stop supporting a genocide, sanction Israel, recognise the Palestinian state'.' A pro-Palestine protester has meanwhile said it is 'absolutely horrendous' that the Government is preparing to ban Palestine Action. The Home Secretary is preparing to ban the group following its vandalism of two planes at an RAF base, it is understood. If enacted, this would make it a criminal offence to belong to or support Palestine Action. The decision comes after the group posted footage online showing two people inside the base at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire. ‌ The clip shows one person riding an electric scooter up to an Airbus Voyager air-to-air refuelling tanker and appearing to spray paint into its jet engine. Artist Hannah Woodhouse, 61, said: 'Most of us share that horror of actually being part of a genocide because our Government is not only arming the Israeli military, but we're also providing surveillance and training the military in this country.' The Government, since yesterday, have said they're also going to start to try to proscribe peace activists who are trying to take action against the genocide – so Palestine Action are now being targeted by our government, which is absolutely horrendous.' ‌ Speaking at the march for Palestine, Ms Woodhouse added: 'Counter-terrorism measures, it seems, are being used against non-violent peace protesters. The peace activists are trying to do the Government's job, which is to disarm Israel. The duty of any government right now is to disarm a genocidal state.' The march comes amid rising tensions in the Middle East, as Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi warned that any US involvement in the conflict between Israel and Iran would be 'very, very dangerous'. US President Donald Trump reportedly approved plans to launch strikes on Iran earlier this week but held off in the hope Tehran would agree to scale back its nuclear programme. Blasts were heard in southwestern Iran on Saturday as the conflict entered its ninth day, with Israel claiming to have targeted 'military infrastructure'. In London, many demonstrators chanted 'Shame on you' as they passed a small counter-protest organised by the pro-Israel group Stop the Hate near Waterloo Bridge. Police have confirmed that a bottle was thrown at the Stop the Hate counter-protest, though it fell short and no one was injured. A suspect was chased down the Strand by officers and has been taken into custody.

Scottish Sun

5 hours ago

• Scottish Sun

Scottish Parliament chief to stand down at next Holyrood election

Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HOLYROOD presiding officer Alison Johnstone will stand down as an MSP next year. The former Scottish Greens politician has announced that she won't run in next May's election. Sign up for the Politics newsletter Sign up 2 Alison Johnstone is set to stand down as an MSP Credit: Alamy 2 She has been presiding officer at the Scottish Parliament since 2021 Credit: Alamy Ms Johnstone took on the non-partisan presiding officer position in 2021. Following the last Scottish Parliament election, the Lothians MSP emerged as the only candidate for the Holyrood chamber role. She was elected with 97 votes in favour, 28 against, two abstentions and one spoiled ballot. The job of presiding officer is equivalent to the Speaker of the House of Commons. They are responsible for overseeing business at Holyrood and chairing meetings in the debating chamber. Ms Johnstone, 59, said: 'I was elected in 2011 and it was always my intention that this would be my last term in Holyrood.' She said she did not come from a political background, adding: 'I was not in a political party but campaigned for the creation of a Scottish Parliament and I then worked as an assistant for Robin Harper, the first-ever Green parliamentarian in the UK elected to the first-ever Scottish Parliament.' Recent weeks have seen the Scottish Conservatives accuse Ms Johnstone of bias in her role, an allegation she has always denied. At the end of May, the presiding officer took the rare decision to kick former Tory leader Douglas Ross out of the chamber due to his interjections at First Minister's Questions. During her tenure, Ms Johnstone guided the parliament through the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions, which included implementing social distancing and remote working practices. John Swinney defends Gray's car use after minister was 'driven to pub' She was also heavily involved in the ceremony following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022, when the King visited the Scottish Parliament to hear a special motion of condolence session. Before entering politics, she was a qualified athletics coach and previously held the east of Scotland titles for the 800m and 1,500m.

The Herald Scotland

7 hours ago

• The Herald Scotland

Hundreds march through Glasgow in support of refugees

Chants of 'Say it loud, say it clear! Refugees are welcome here' and 'No nations, no borders! Stop deportations' rang out in the Trongate. Henry, a member of the University and College Union (UCU), told The Herald: 'I'm profoundly disturbed by the rise of the far-right across Europe, and think that decent people who care about humanity and social issues need to stand up to these people and challenge their narrative.' Read More: Another demonstrator said: 'My father moved from Ireland to Scotland at the time of 'no blacks, no Irish, no dogs', so his experiences have shaped my perspective on this.' A range of speakers from local trade unions also addressed the crowd. Photographer and activist Sadia Sikandar, herself a refugee from Pakistan, said: 'The way the Scottish people show solidarity and compassion with asylum seekers is different from the rest of the UK. Two women holding banners supporting refugees and asylum seekers, as part of an event organised by Stand Up To Racism (Image: Newsquest) 'It's part of the reason I came to Glasgow after living in England for six years. Now my friends tease me and say I'm an 'adopted Glaswegian'. 'Keir Starmer says we are here to create 'stranger island'. That will not happen in Scotland as long as you all are over here.' A 'anti-racist' carnival has been set up at the end of the parade route at the Old Fruitmarket. Stalls at the family-friendly event include face-painting, balloon artistry, and puppeteering. A range of music guests are also scheduled to perform, including Iona Fyfe, Tom Harlow, Pilgrim Society, and Mellow Party.