RUTH Davidson has been accused of spreading “misinformation” by Scottish Tory MSPs as the party's civil war boils over.
Roz McCall, who represents Mid Scotland and Fife for the Conservatives, hit out at her party’s former leader on social media on Thursday morning, saying she was “very disappointed” that Davidson had chosen to intervene in the ongoing leadership race.
McCall’s message was then reshared by her fellow Tory MSP Brian Whittle, who along with other Conservatives had also panned Davidson in separate posts on Wednesday night.
The public blue-on-blue attacks came after Davidson publicly backed Russell Findlay – who is seen as the “establishment” candidate – to take over as leader of the Scottish Conservatives.
Sharing an article penned by Davidson on the Daily Mail, McCall said: “I have a lot of respect for Ruth but I am very disappointed to see a former leader get involved and encourage misinformation.
“We have to unite after the contest and tactics deployed by some are deeply damaging.”
Sharing the same Davidson piece late on Wednesday night, Whittle wrote: “I have so much respect for Ruth but I am disappointed to see her perpetuate this untruth.
“I have been very clear I want closer ties with our colleagues in Westminster and wouldn’t support any attempt to split. This is no way to conduct this contest.”
Whittle's comment was reshared by Tory MSP Graham Simpson, who simply wrote: "Shabby." It is unclear if he was referring to Whittle or Davidson.
Shabby https://t.co/A3ijXxfj2l
— Graham Simpson (@GrahamSMSP) September 5, 2024
Another Scottish Tory MSP, Finlay Carson, backed Whittle's statement, saying it was "well said".
Carson went on: "This is simply untrue. Murdo [Fraser], nor indeed any of the 2016 intake are pushing for a split from the UK party. It’s all a deliberate twist of the truth. Disappointed in Ruth is an understatement."
In her article, Davidson had attacked Murdo Fraser – without naming him explicitly – after he proposed a commission to examine how the Scottish Tory party might move forward.
Fraser’s plan had been called a “Trojan Horse” by shadow Scottish secretary John Lamont, who claimed the MSP was seeking to split the Scots party from its UK bosses.
Fraser had proposed splitting the Scottish Tories from the UK Conservatives in the 2011 leadership race which ultimately saw him defeated by Davidson.
Writing in the Daily Mail, Davidson said: “Where has the positivity gone? Where is that uplifting message of hope? What happened to that spirit of teamwork?
“And are we really going to replay the stale old argument from 2011 that says we need to split away from the UK party, or create a new party which only contests Holyrood elections?
“That idea was put forward by several candidates at the outset of this contest. Then came a slightly different proposal in its place – a ‘commission’ to examine ‘loosening ties’ with the UK party.
“Does its proponent take our members for fools? Some have called it a ‘Trojan Horse’ plan to split the party by stealth – which is exactly how I see it, too.
“This ‘commission’ – which I believe is really just a backdoor means to separate the party – is entirely the wrong approach to take and I was pleased to see Mr Findlay stand up firmly against it.
“At its very core our party is based on the principle that we achieve progress, prosperity and security by working across the whole United Kingdom. It’s what makes us Unionists.”
Douglas Ross, the outgoing Scottish Tory leader, has insisted he would remain neutral during the contest to replace him – although reports say he suggested installing Findlay as his replacement while secretly manoeuvring for a Westminster seat last year.
Findlay has the backing of all five of Scotland’s Tory MPs, as well as around one-third of the Holyrood group.
Fraser has the support of Whittle as well as Jamie Greene and Liam Kerr – all three of whom dropped their own leadership bids to back him.
Meghan Gallacher is also in the race to take over as leader of the Scots Tories.
The party’s new leader will be announced on September 27.
