Douglas Ross (right) previously called for Boris Johnson to resign
(Picture: PA Archive)Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross has withdrawn his letter calling for the Prime Minister to resign over Partygate in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The MP for Moray addressed his announcement and his reasons why on Thursday.
He explained at the time of “an international crisis is not the time to be discussing resignations, unless it’s the removal from office of Vladimir Putin”.
He added: “There will be a time and place to debate Partygate but, as even Keir Starmer said at the weekend, we should put that on pause while there is war in Europe.
“It’s essential that we all fully support what the UK Government is doing. In light of Russia’s appalling actions, the Government and Prime Minister need our backing, and they have mine and the whole Scottish Conservative Party.
“We should all be focused on what we can do to help the Ukrainian people in any capacity.”
Earlier, it was confirmed Mr Johnson will make an appearance at the Scottish Conservative conference in Aberdeen on March 18 and 19.
The Prime Minister will be welcome to give a speech about the war in Ukraine, the party said.
It comes after the Scottish Tory leader previously called for the Prime Minister’s resignation.
He urged the Prime Minister to stand down after Mr Johnson said at Prime Minister’s Questions he had attended an event in May 20 2020 which he perceived to be a “work event” for 25 minutes.
Speaking to STV News, Mr Ross said: “I said, yesterday, if the Prime Minister attended this gathering, event in Downing Street on May 20 2020, he could not continue as Prime Minister so, regretfully, I have to say his position is no longer tenable.”
He added: “There was one simple question to answer yesterday, indeed, from Monday night when we saw this invitation which was to more than 100 people asking them to join others in the Downing Street garden and bring their own booze.
“If the Prime Minister was there, and he accepted today that he was, then I felt he could not continue.
“What we also heard from the Prime Minister today was an apology and he said with hindsight he would have done things differently, which for me is an acceptance from the Prime Minister that it was wrong and therefore, I don’t want to be in this position, but I am in this position now, where I don’t think he can continue as leader of the Conservatives.”
The Met police’s investigations into Partygate are ongoing.
No10 confirmed Mr Johnson has completed and returned the questionnaire he was sent by the police about the Downing Street party allegations.
