THE Scottish Secretary has seemingly undermined his own Conservative allies’ claims that Douglas Ross has been “completely consistent” on the Prime Minister’s position.
The Scottish Tory leader was accused of “flip-flopping” after he called for Boris Johnson to resign, before withdrawing his letter of no confidence, before supporting a bid to oust the Prime Minister.
His chief whip, Stephen Kerr MSP, told the BBC that Ross had been “completely consistent with the principle”.
However, Alister Jack has now told ITV’s Representing Border that the Scottish Tory leader has often changed his mind.
“I’ve been successful in persuading Douglas Ross to change his mind a few times, as we’ve seen,” Jack laughed.
“We are where we are, Douglas has changed his position again and that’s absolutely his choice. I respect his right to do that.”
SNP minister Clare Haughey said the interview was "very telling". She added: "Just leaves one question for Douglas Ross to answer – who is really leading the Scottish Tories?"
The Scottish Secretary, who is one of only two MPs from north of the Border who has not called for Johnson to lose his position after a string of scandals and criminal behaviour, also doubled down on his support for his boss in London.
“My own view is that the right person to lead the United Kingdom Government is Boris Johnson and he has my whole-hearted support,” Jack said.
“I think Boris Johnson should remain prime minister as long as he keeps winning elections, and as long as he wants to be the leader of the party, he should be the leader of the party.”
'Douglas has changed his position again' Alister Jack is asked about Douglas Ross's vote of no confidence in the Prime Minister. Scottish Secretary 'respects' Mr Ross's 'right to do that'. But own view is Boris Johnson should remain PM 'as long as he keeps winning elections' pic.twitter.com/hgZp0XH8KH
— Representing Border (@ITVBorderRB) June 9, 2022
Johnson is considered to be on his last legs by many Westminster watchers, after 41% of his MPs said they had no confidence in his leadership in a vote earlier in the week.
The Tory leader claimed a “decisive” victory in Monday's ballot, which saw 148 MPs vote for his removal against 211 for him to stay.
Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions, SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford said: "When I’ve called on this Prime Minister to resign, I’ve always been met by a wall of noise from the Tory benches. I always thought they were trying to shout me down. But, all this time, it turns out that 41% of them have actually been cheering me on."
The SNP MP said the "numbers don't lie", adding that two-thirds of MPs in the Commons don’t support the Prime Minister and that 97% of Scottish MPs “want the Minister for the Union out the door”.
He continued: "We now have a lame duck Prime Minister presiding over a divided party in a disunited kingdom. So how does the Prime Minister expect to continue when even the Unionist leaders in Scotland won’t back him?"
SNP Depute Leader Keith Brown added: “These revelations showing Alister Jack pulling the strings behind Douglas Ross is another hammer blow to his authority in an already disastrous week for the Tories.
“People elect politicians to make tough decisions, and leaders to lead. It seems Douglas Ross is incapable on both counts.”
