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'{{Short description|Leader of the Scottish Conservative Party}} {{Use British English|date=August 2019}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2022}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Douglas Ross aka Forres Gimp | honorific-suffix = [[Member of the Scottish Parliament|MSP]] | image = Douglas Ross 2021.jpg | caption = Official portrait, 2021 | office = [[Leader of the Opposition in the Scottish Parliament|Leader of the Opposition in Scotland]] | monarch = {{ubl|[[Elizabeth II]]|[[Charles III]]}} | firstminister = {{ubl|[[Nicola Sturgeon]]|[[Humza Yousaf]]|[[John Swinney]]}} | term_start = 6 May 2021 | term_end = | predecessor = [[Ruth Davidson]] | successor = | office1 = [[Leader of the Scottish Conservative Party]]{{efn|Ross has served as Leader of the Conservative Party in the Scottish Parliament since 6 May 2021, having been preceded by Ruth Davidson.}} | 1blankname1 = [[Leader of the Conservative Party (UK)|UK&nbsp;party&nbsp;leader]] | 1namedata1 = {{ubl|[[Boris Johnson]]|[[Liz Truss]]|[[Rishi Sunak]]}} | 3blankname1 = Chair | 3namedata1 = {{ubl|[[Rab Forman]]|[[Rachael Hamilton]]|[[Craig Hoy]]}} | term_start1 = 5 August 2020 | term_end1 = | predecessor1 = [[Jackson Carlaw]] | successor1 = | office2 = [[Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland]] | primeminister2 = [[Boris Johnson]] | term_start2 = 17 December 2019 | term_end2 = 26 May 2020 | predecessor2 = {{ubl|[[Colin Clark (politician)|Colin Clark]]|[[Robin Walker]]}} | successor2 = {{ubl|[[David Duguid (politician)|David Duguid]]|[[Iain Stewart (politician)|Iain Stewart]]}} | office3 = [[Member of the Scottish Parliament]]<br />for [[Highlands and Islands (Scottish Parliament electoral region)|Highlands and Islands]]<br />{{nobold|(1 of 7 Regional MSPs)}} | term_start3 = 6 May 2021 | term_end3 = | predecessor3 = | successor3 = | term_start4 = 5 May 2016 | term_end4 = 11 June 2017 | predecessor4 = | successor4 = [[Jamie Halcro Johnston]]{{efn|Normally, regional MSPs do not have individual predecessors and successors. However, Ross retired his seat during a sitting parliament so was succeeded by Halcro Johnston.}} | office5 = [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]]<br />for [[Moray (UK Parliament constituency)|Moray]] | term_start5 = 8 June 2017 | term_end5 = 30 May 2024 | majority5 = | predecessor5 = [[Angus Robertson]] | successor5 = TBC | office6 = Scottish Conservative portfolios | suboffice6 = [[Cabinet Secretary for Justice|Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Justice]] | subterm6 = 2016–2017 | birth_name = Douglas Gordon Ross | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1983|1|27|df=y}} | birth_place = [[Aberdeen]], Scotland | party = [[Scottish Conservatives]] | otherparty = [[Scottish Liberal Democrats]] (formerly) | spouse = {{marriage|Krystle Ross|2015}} | children = 2 | alma_mater = [[Scottish Agricultural College]] | deputy1 = [[Meghan Gallacher]] }} '''Douglas Gordon Ross''' (born 27 January 1983) is a Scottish politician who has served as [[Scottish Conservatives#Leader of the Scottish Conservative Party|Leader of the Scottish Conservative Party]] since 2020 and [[Leader of the Opposition (Scotland)|Leader of the Opposition in Scotland]] since 2021. He served as [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of the UK Parliament]] (MP) for [[Moray (UK Parliament constituency)|Moray]] from [[2017 United Kingdom general election|2017]] to [[2024 United Kingdom general election|2024]]. Ross currently serves as a [[Member of the Scottish Parliament]] (MSP) for the [[Highlands and Islands (Scottish Parliament electoral region)|Highlands and Islands]], having been elected as a regional list MSP in [[2021 Scottish Parliament election|2021]]. He was previously MSP for the region from [[2016 Scottish Parliament election|2016]] to 2017. Born in Aberdeen, Ross was educated at [[Forres Academy]]. After graduating from the [[Scottish Agricultural College]], he worked on a dairy farm. A member of the [[Scottish Liberal Democrats]] in his youth, he switched to the [[Scottish Conservatives]] and began his political career as a [[Scottish Parliament]] researcher and then a [[The Moray Council|councillor in Moray]]. He stood unsuccessfully for the [[Moray (UK Parliament constituency)|Moray UK Parliament constituency]] in the [[2010 United Kingdom general election|2010]] and [[2015 United Kingdom general election|2015 general elections]] and for the [[Moray (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Scottish Parliament constituency]] in [[2011 Scottish Parliament election|2011]] and [[2016 Scottish Parliament election|2016]]. In the latter election, he was elected as a regional list MSP as one of the additional members for the Highlands and Islands. Ross was elected to the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]] at the 2017 general election, defeating SNP deputy leader [[Angus Robertson]], and was re-elected in [[2019 United Kingdom general election|2019]] with a reduced majority. He served as [[Under-Secretary of State for Scotland|Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland]] under Prime Minister [[Boris Johnson]] for six months. He resigned in May 2020, in protest at [[Dominic Cummings]] continuing to serve as Johnson's adviser after breaking lockdown rules during the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom|COVID-19 pandemic]]. Following the resignation of [[Jackson Carlaw]] in July 2020, Ross announced his candidature in the [[August 2020 Scottish Conservatives leadership election|August 2020 Scottish Conservative Party leadership election]]. Five days later, he was elected leader unopposed. He ran on a joint ticket with former Scottish Conservative leader [[Ruth Davidson]]. Since he served in the House of Commons and was not an MSP, Davidson led the party in the [[Scottish Parliament]] until the [[2021 Scottish Parliament election]]. ==Early life and career== Douglas Gordon Ross was born in [[Aberdeen]] on 27 January 1983 to Sandy and Lesley Ross.<ref name="UKWW" /><ref name=":0" /> He first attended Alves Primary School and the state secondary [[Forres Academy]] before going on to study agriculture at the [[Scottish Agricultural College]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=11 June 2014|title=Douglas Ross|url=https://www.forres-gazette.co.uk/news/douglas-ross-169121/|access-date=6 August 2020|work=Forres Gazette|archive-date=28 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210528115421/https://www.forres-gazette.co.uk/news/douglas-ross-169121/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news|date=26 May 2020|title=Who is Tory MP Douglas Ross?|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-52806557|access-date=30 July 2020|archive-date=6 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806104755/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-52806557|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Johnson|first=Simon|date=26 May 2020|title=Who is Douglas Ross, the first minister to resign over the Dominic Cummings furore?|work=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2020/05/26/douglas-ross-first-minister-resign-dominic-cummings-furore/|access-date=30 July 2020|issn=0307-1235|archive-date=13 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200713195211/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2020/05/26/douglas-ross-first-minister-resign-dominic-cummings-furore/|url-status=live}}</ref> After graduating, he worked on a dairy farm near [[Forres]], [[Moray]], where his father had been working as a cattleman.<ref>{{cite web|date=20 May 2020|title=Moo-ving on up: interview with Scotland Office minister Douglas Ross|url=https://www.holyrood.com/inside-politics/view,mooving-on-up-interview-with-scotland-office-minister-douglas-ross_15528.htm|publisher=Dods Group|access-date=30 July 2020|work=Holyrood|first=Mandy|last=Rhodes|archive-date=12 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812150548/https://www.holyrood.com/inside-politics/view,mooving-on-up-interview-with-scotland-office-minister-douglas-ross_15528.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> He was a member of the [[Scottish Liberal Democrats]] in his youth but later became a [[Scottish Conservatives|Conservative]] voter.<ref name=":0" /> ==Early political career== Ross began his political career when he took up a post as a parliamentary researcher at the [[Scottish Parliament]].<ref name=":0" /> He was first elected to [[The Moray Council]] in [[2007 Moray Council election|2007]], representing the Fochabers-Lhanbryde ward, and became part of the Independent/Conservative administration. He resigned from the council administration in December 2009 but continued as a councillor.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://stv.tv/news/north/298792-senior-moray-council-politician-douglas-ross-ousted-after-school-row/ |title=Senior planning councillor ousted following Moray school closure row |work=[[STV News]] |date=7 November 2014 |access-date=6 May 2016 |archive-date=13 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513052708/http://stv.tv/news/north/298792-senior-moray-council-politician-douglas-ross-ousted-after-school-row/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In [[2012 Moray Council election|2012]], he was re-elected to The Moray Council and again became part of the ruling administration group but was "ousted" from this in 2014, following a debate about school closures.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/moray/410922/senior-moray-councillor-selected-as-scottish-conservative-candidate-for-moray/ |title=Ousted Moray councillor to fight for Westminster seat |first=John |last=Robertson |work=[[The Press and Journal (Scotland)|The Press and Journal]] |date=25 November 2014 |access-date=6 May 2016 |archive-date=17 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917181427/https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/moray/410922/senior-moray-councillor-selected-as-scottish-conservative-candidate-for-moray/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Ross stood as the Conservative candidate for [[Moray (UK Parliament constituency)|Moray]] at the [[2010 United Kingdom general election|2010]] and [[2015 United Kingdom general election|2015 general elections]], coming second to [[Angus Robertson]] but increased his share of the vote by 5.0% in 2015. He also stood as the Conservative candidate for the [[Moray (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Moray Scottish Parliament constituency]] at the [[2011 Scottish Parliament election]] but finished second to [[Richard Lochhead]]. At the [[2016 Scottish Parliament election]], Ross increased his vote by 18.0% but again finished behind Lochhead. However, he was elected to the [[Scottish Parliament]] after being placed first on the [[Highlands and Islands (Scottish Parliament electoral region)|Highlands and Islands]] regional list.<ref name="BBC060516">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/scotland-regions/S17000011 |title=Election 2016: Highlands and Islands Scottish Parliament region |work=[[BBC News]] |date=6 May 2016 |access-date=21 June 2018 |archive-date=22 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190422011441/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/scotland-regions/S17000011 |url-status=live }}</ref> He supported the UK remaining within the [[European Union]] in the [[2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum|2016 membership referendum]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-36392370 |title=EU referendum debate: How did your MSP vote? |date=26 May 2016 |work=BBC News |access-date=21 June 2018 |archive-date=2 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171202115937/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-36392370 |url-status=live }}</ref> Ross stood again for the seat of Moray at the [[2017 United Kingdom general election|2017 general election]], challenging SNP deputy leader Angus Robertson. He was successful in overturning Robertson's 9,065 majority with 22,637 votes, 47.6% of the votes cast, gaining a 16.5% swing to the Conservatives.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-40211275|title=General election 2017: SNP deputy leader Angus Robertson loses seat|date=9 June 2017|work=BBC News|access-date=21 June 2018|archive-date=2 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171202124537/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-40211275|url-status=live}}</ref> Having gained a seat at Westminster, Ross resigned from his seat in the Scottish Parliament.<ref name=":0" /> In 2017, Ross said during an interview that if he was Prime Minister for a day "without any repercussions", he would "like to see tougher enforcement against Gypsy Travellers". His remark was criticised, including by Naomi McAuliffe of [[Amnesty International]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/new-tory-mp-douglas-ross-slammed-for-anti-traveller-comment-1-4540527 |title=New Tory MP Douglas Ross slammed for anti-Traveller comment |first=Sam |last=Shedden |work=[[The Scotsman]] |date=23 August 2017 |access-date=31 August 2017 |archive-date=27 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827184511/http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/new-tory-mp-douglas-ross-slammed-for-anti-traveller-comment-1-4540527 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="amnesty">{{cite news |last=Kirkaldy |first=Liam |url=https://www.holyrood.com/articles/news/amnesty-international-calls-douglas-ross-apologise-over-gypsy-remarks |title=Amnesty International calls for Douglas Ross to apologise over gypsy remarks |work=Holyrood |date=24 August 2017 |access-date=27 August 2017 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200805114534/https://www.holyrood.com/news/view,amnesty-international-calls-for-douglas-ross-to-apologise-over-gypsy-remarks_7584.htm |archive-date=5 August 2020}}</ref> Ross apologised for his [[Antiziganism|use of language]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-scotland-41051190/tory-mp-douglas-ross-apologises-for-gypsy-traveller-comments |title=Tory MP Douglas Ross apologises for 'Gypsy traveller' comments |work=BBC News |date=25 August 2017 |access-date=27 August 2017 |archive-date=28 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828065758/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-scotland-41051190/tory-mp-douglas-ross-apologises-for-gypsy-traveller-comments |url-status=live }}</ref> The Scottish Football Association launched a disciplinary investigation into his remarks, which did not lead to any formal disciplinary action, but warned him to pay attention to his use of language.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://stv.tv/sport/football/1396450-referee-douglas-ross-investigated-by-sfa-over-gypsy-comments/ |title=Football official and MP's 'gypsy' comments probed by SFA |publisher=[[STV (TV channel)|STV]] |access-date=27 August 2017 |archive-date=25 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170825160610/https://stv.tv/sport/football/1396450-referee-douglas-ross-investigated-by-sfa-over-gypsy-comments/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name = "no formal action">{{cite web |url=https://stv.tv/sport/football/1397769-no-formal-sfa-action-over-douglas-ross-gypsy-comments/ |title=No formal SFA action over Douglas Ross 'gypsy' comments |publisher=STV |date=14 September 2017 |access-date=18 October 2017 |archive-date=19 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019055459/https://stv.tv/sport/football/1397769-no-formal-sfa-action-over-douglas-ross-gypsy-comments/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> SNP and Labour spokespeople criticised Ross for missing a debate on [[Universal Credit]] in October 2017, due to his commitments as a football referee.<ref name = "universal credit">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-41660040 |title=Tory MP misses vote to be assistant referee at Champions League game |work=BBC News |date=18 October 2017 |access-date=18 October 2017 |archive-date=18 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018091645/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-41660040 |url-status=live }}</ref> Shortly afterwards, Ross decided he would no longer accept referee appointments while the UK Parliament is sitting.<ref name = "sitting"/> Despite backing remaining in the EU prior to the referendum, Ross stated Parliament should complete [[Brexit]] to "deliver the will of the British people". He voted against [[Theresa May]]'s [[Brexit withdrawal agreement]] at the first round of voting and was absent for the second following his wife going into labour. He supported [[Mark Harper]] then subsequently [[Boris Johnson]] in the [[2019 Conservative Party leadership election]].<ref name=":0" /> Ross was re-elected at the [[2019 United Kingdom general election|2019 general election]] with a reduced majority.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Moray parliamentary constituency|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/politics/constituencies/S14000046|access-date=1 August 2020|archive-date=13 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213131331/https://www.bbc.com/news/politics/constituencies/S14000046|url-status=live}}</ref> He was then appointed [[Under-Secretary of State for Scotland|Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland]], replacing [[Colin Clark (politician)|Colin Clark]] who had lost his seat in the election.<ref name="BBC171219">{{cite news |title=Moray MP Douglas Ross appointed Scotland Office minister |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-50830086 |access-date=17 December 2019 |work=BBC News |date=17 December 2019 |archive-date=17 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191217202637/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-50830086 |url-status=live }}</ref> He resigned from this role on 26 May 2020, in protest against [[Dominic Cummings]] continuing to serve as Chief Adviser to the Prime Minister after having travelled over {{convert|260|mi|km|abbr=off}} from London to Durham during the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom|COVID-19 lockdown period]].<ref>{{cite tweet |first=Douglas |last=Ross |user=Douglas4Moray |number=1265196839231533057 |date=26 May 2020 |title=I haven't commented publicly on the situation with Dominic Cummings as I have waited to hear the full details. I welcome the statement to clarify matters, but there remains aspects of the explanation which I have trouble with. As a result I have resigned as a government Minister.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-52806086 |work=BBC News |title=Minister quits over Cummings' lockdown actions |date=26 May 2020 |access-date=26 May 2020 |archive-date=6 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201006085641/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-52806086/ |url-status=live }}</ref> == Leadership of the Scottish Conservatives == {{seealso|Shadow Cabinet of Douglas Ross}} Ross announced his candidature in the [[August 2020 Scottish Conservatives leadership election|August 2020 Scottish Conservative Party leadership election]] following [[Jackson Carlaw]]'s resignation on 30 July 2020. On 5 August, he won the contest unopposed and became leader.<ref>{{cite web|date=5 August 2020|title=Douglas Ross confirmed as Scottish Conservative leader|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-53655975|access-date=5 August 2020|website=[[BBC News]]|publisher=BBC|archive-date=5 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805122907/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-53655975|url-status=live}}</ref> On 11 August, he conducted a reshuffle where he made [[Ruth Davidson]] the Leader of the Conservative Party in the Scottish Parliament, dismissed [[Annie Wells (politician)|Annie Wells]] and [[Liam Kerr]] from their deputy leadership positions and did not give Carlaw a position.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2020/08/11/ruth-davidsons-return-frontline-politics-confirmed-douglas-ross/|title=Ruth Davidson's return to frontline politics confirmed as Douglas Ross announces first reshuffle|work=The Telegraph|last=Sanderson|first=Daniel|date=11 August 2020|access-date=12 August 2020|archive-date=12 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812082020/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2020/08/11/ruth-davidsons-return-frontline-politics-confirmed-douglas-ross/|url-status=live}}</ref> As a result of the [[Alex Salmond]] parliamentary inquiry in early 2021, Ross called on opposition parties to pass a [[motion of no confidence]] against the [[Scottish Government]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Johnson|first=Simon|date=8 March 2021|title=Douglas Ross challenges other opposition leaders to back no confidence votes in Sturgeon and Swinney|language=en-GB|work=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2021/03/08/douglas-ross-challenges-opposition-leaders-back-no-confidence/|access-date=9 March 2021|issn=0307-1235|archive-date=8 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308183144/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2021/03/08/douglas-ross-challenges-opposition-leaders-back-no-confidence/|url-status=live}}{{subscription required}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Scottish Conservatives to press on with vote of no confidence in John Swinney this week|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/19142338.douglas-ross---scottish-conservatives-will-seek-hold-vote-no-confidence-john-swinney-week/|date=7 March 2021|access-date=9 March 2021|website=HeraldScotland|language=en|archive-date=10 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210310043907/https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/19142338.douglas-ross---scottish-conservatives-will-seek-hold-vote-no-confidence-john-swinney-week/|url-status=live}}</ref> Upon becoming leader, Ross announced plans to run for a seat in the [[2021 Scottish Parliament election]] and succeed Davidson as his party's leader in Holyrood.<ref name=":1" /> He was subsequently elected on the Highlands and Islands regional list. The Scottish Conservatives won 31 seats in total, matching their 2016 result and recording the party's highest ever vote share. Following his re-election to the Scottish Parliament, Ross announced his intention to remain MP for Moray while serving as an MSP. The Scottish Parliament website confirms that Ross will donate his MSP salary to charities.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gordon |first1=Tom |title=Douglas Ross makes Commons ally Stephen Kerr Scots Tory whip |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/19295116.ross-makes-commons-ally-scots-tory-whip/ |access-date=16 May 2021 |newspaper=[[The Herald (Glasgow)|The Herald]] |date=12 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516020347/https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/19295116.ross-makes-commons-ally-scots-tory-whip/ |archive-date=16 May 2021 |location=Glasgow}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Webster |first1=Laura |title=Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross wins seat on Highlands and Islands list |url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/19289135.scottish-tory-leader-douglas-ross-wins-seat-highlands-islands-list/ |access-date=16 May 2021 |work=[[The National (Scotland)|The National]] |date=8 May 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210516020852/https://www.thenational.scot/news/19289135.scottish-tory-leader-douglas-ross-wins-seat-highlands-islands-list/ |archive-date=16 May 2021 |location=Glasgow}}</ref> Other parties have called on him to resign from his MP role.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Clark |first1=Jonathan |title=Moray's Conservative MP Douglas Ross rejects calls to resign after failing to fully record his salaries |url=https://www.northern-scot.co.uk/news/douglas-ross-rejects-calls-for-him-to-resign-as-morays-mp-257551/ |access-date=6 December 2021 |work=[[The Northern Scot]] |date=18 November 2021 |archive-date=6 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206150852/https://www.northern-scot.co.uk/news/douglas-ross-rejects-calls-for-him-to-resign-as-morays-mp-257551/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In November 2021, Ross referred himself to the parliamentary watchdog after it was revealed he failed to record his salary and earnings as a linesman in his registers of interest at the UK Parliament, all of which amounted to £28,000 not being recorded.<ref>{{Cite news|date=13 November 2021|title=Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross in job 'sleaze' row|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-59270798|access-date=13 November 2021|archive-date=13 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211113002138/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-59270798|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=13 November 2021|title=Scottish Tory leader refers himself to watchdog over undeclared income|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/nov/13/scottish-tory-leader-refers-himself-to-watchdog-over-undeclared-income|access-date=13 November 2021|website=The Guardian|language=en|archive-date=13 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211113091506/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/nov/13/scottish-tory-leader-refers-himself-to-watchdog-over-undeclared-income|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Cassidy">{{Cite web|last=Cassidy|first=Rory|date=13 November 2021|title=Douglas Ross blasted for own goal over failing to declare referee payments|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/douglas-ross-blasted-goal-over-25449575|access-date=13 November 2021|website=Daily Record|language=en|archive-date=13 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211113102024/https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/douglas-ross-blasted-goal-over-25449575|url-status=live}}</ref> He subsequently apologised for his actions and said it was an error on his part however there were also calls for his resignation because of the affair.<ref name="Cassidy"/><ref>{{Cite web|title=Douglas Ross 'sorry' and reports himself to watchdog over £28,000 of undeclared salaries|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/19714559.scottish-conservatives-leader-douglas-ross-sorry-reports-standards-commissioner-28-000-undeclared-salaries/|access-date=13 November 2021|website=HeraldScotland|language=en|archive-date=13 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211113052932/https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/19714559.scottish-conservatives-leader-douglas-ross-sorry-reports-standards-commissioner-28-000-undeclared-salaries/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Davey|first=Mark|date=13 November 2021|title=SNP hit out at 'triple jobs Ross' for failing to declare thousands|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/douglas-ross-snp-scottish-westminster-people-b966006.html|access-date=13 November 2021|website=www.standard.co.uk|language=en|archive-date=13 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211113085229/https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/douglas-ross-snp-scottish-westminster-people-b966006.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In January 2022, after Ross called for the resignation of Prime Minister Boris Johnson amid the Downing Street party scandal, [[Jacob Rees-Mogg]], Leader of the House of Commons, commented: "I don't think Douglas Ross is a big figure. I think Alister Jack is a really serious and senior figure."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/people/scottish-conservative-leader-not-a-big-figure-according-to-rees-mogg-3525284 |title=Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross 'not a big figure', says Jacob Rees-Mogg |last=Brown |first=Hannah |date=12 January 2022 |work=The Scotsman |access-date=19 June 2023}}</ref> It was then reported that Ross had sent in a letter of no-confidence in Boris Johnson to the [[1922 Committee]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/conservatives/boris-johnson-no-confidence-letters-tory-mps-written-1922-committee-force-leadership-contest-1397543 |title=Boris Johnson no-confidence letters: Which Tory MPs have written to 1922 committee to force leadership contest |access-date=13 January 2022 |archive-date=13 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220113174521/https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/conservatives/boris-johnson-no-confidence-letters-tory-mps-written-1922-committee-force-leadership-contest-1397543 |url-status=live }}</ref> Less than two months later, in response to the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine|invasion of Ukraine]], Ross announced that he had withdrawn his letter, saying “the middle of an international crisis is not the time to be discussing resignations”.<ref>{{cite news |date=10 March 2022 | work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/mar/10/scottish-tory-leader-withdraws-letter-of-no-confidence-in-boris-johnson |title=Scottish Tory leader withdraws letter of no confidence in Boris Johnson |access-date=8 June 2022 }}</ref> Despite this, he was one of four of the six Scottish Conservative MPs who voted against Johnson in the [[2022 vote of confidence in the Conservative Party leadership of Boris Johnson|June confidence vote]], though stressed he had not resubmitted his letter.<ref>{{cite news |date=7 June 2022 | work=Dundee Courier |url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/politics/scottish-politics/3368934/scottish-tory-mps-boris-johnson/ |title=How Scottish Conservative MPs voted and what they said about Boris Johnson |access-date=8 June 2022 }}</ref> After poor results in the [[2022 Scottish local elections]], Ross said he intended to remain as leader.<ref>{{Cite news |date=7 May 2022 |title=Douglas Ross: 'I'll continue as leader' after election blow |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-61362311 |access-date=7 May 2022}}</ref> Under him, on 12 October 2023, fellow MP [[Lisa Cameron]] defected to the Conservatives, becoming the first elected representative to [[Crossing the floor|cross the floor]] to a unionist party from the [[Scottish National Party]]. She cited a "toxic and bullying" culture in her former party that led to her defection.<ref>{{Cite news |date=12 October 2023 |title=SNP MP Lisa Cameron defects to the Conservatives, citing 'toxic and bullying' culture |work=[[Politics.co.uk]] |url=https://www.politics.co.uk/news/2023/10/12/snp-mp-lisa-cameron-defects-to-the-conservatives-citing-toxic-and-bullying-culture/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=13 October 2023 |title=Lisa Cameron's defection has deeper roots than deselection threat |last=Gordon| first=Tom |work=[[Herald (Scotland)|The Herald]] |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/23852441.lisa-camerons-defection-deeper-roots-snp-deselection-threat/ }}</ref> ==Policies and views== In line with the Scottish Conservatives, Ross supports [[British unionism]] and is opposed to a second referendum on Scottish independence.<ref>{{cite web|title=Why is our Union special?|url=https://policyexchange.org.uk/pxevents/why-is-our-union-special/|access-date=23 November 2021|website=Policy Exchange|language=en-GB|archive-date=11 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211111205746/https://policyexchange.org.uk/pxevents/why-is-our-union-special/|url-status=live}}</ref> Following his election as leader of the Scottish Conservative Party, Ross stated that he wanted to represent "working-class unionists in Scotland."<ref name="BBC News">{{Cite news|date=3 October 2021|title=Douglas Ross promises 'Mackay's Law' to oust absent MSPs|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-58780992|access-date=23 November 2021|archive-date=11 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211111211944/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-58780992|url-status=live}}</ref> However, he has also criticised what he views as too much centralisation around London and has expressed support for some federalist ideas, including House of Lords reform.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2 November 2020|title=Scottish Tory leader attacks Boris Johnson's over-centralised approach|url=http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/nov/02/scottish-tory-leader-attacks-boris-johnsons-over-centralised-approach|access-date=23 November 2021|website=The Guardian|language=en|archive-date=22 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211122193444/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/nov/02/scottish-tory-leader-attacks-boris-johnsons-over-centralised-approach|url-status=live}}</ref> In the run-up to the [[2021 Scottish Parliament election]], Ross proposed a "pro-UK, anti-referendum coalition" with other Scottish unionist parties although this was not supported by [[Scottish Labour]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/19192476.anas-sarwar-responds-douglas-ross-letter-calling-pro-union-coalition/|title=Anas Sarwar responds to Douglas Ross letter calling for 'pro-Union coalition'|last=Mcilkenny|first=Stephen |date=27 March 2021|work=The Herald|access-date=23 November 2021|language=en|archive-date=11 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211111211441/https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/19192476.anas-sarwar-responds-douglas-ross-letter-calling-pro-union-coalition/|url-status=live}}</ref> Ross backed ''Remain'' during the EU referendum, but after the vote he stated Parliament should complete [[Brexit]] to "deliver the will of the British people". He voted against [[Theresa May]]'s [[Brexit withdrawal agreement]] at the first round of voting and was absent for the second following his wife going into labour. During the [[2019 Conservative Party leadership election]], Ross initially endorsed [[Mark Harper]] before backing [[Boris Johnson]] in the final round.<ref>{{Cite news|date=18 September 2020|title=Who is Scots Tory leader Douglas Ross?|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-52806557|access-date=23 November 2021|archive-date=21 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211021020537/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-52806557|url-status=live}}</ref> Ross has also expressed support for [[power of recall]] in the Scottish parliament, and in 2021 proposed what he called "Mackay's Law" (named after former SNP Finance Minister [[Derek Mackay]]), whereby MSPs who have not shown up for work for over six months but still collect pay must be forced to resign.<ref name="BBC News"/> ==Football referee== A qualified [[association football|football]] official, Ross is a top-level [[Assistant referee (association football)|assistant referee]] in his spare time. He was one of the officials for the [[2015 Scottish Cup Final]], assisting [[Willie Collum]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32722908 |title=Scottish Cup final: Willie Collum to referee Inverness CT v Falkirk |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |date=13 May 2015 |access-date=8 May 2016 |archive-date=1 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200101152916/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32722908 |url-status=live }}</ref> and the [[2018 Scottish Cup Final]], assisting [[Kevin Clancy]]. He has run the line in several editions of Scotland's biggest club fixture, the [[Old Firm]] Derby, and has been involved in continental [[UEFA Champions League]] and [[UEFA Europa League]] ties and international [[FIFA World Cup]] and [[UEFA European Championship]] qualifiers.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Scotland - D. Ross - Profile with news, career statistics and history|url=https://uk.soccerway.com/referees/douglas-ross/155740/|access-date=23 November 2021|website=uk.soccerway.com|archive-date=28 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210528115420/https://uk.soccerway.com/referees/douglas-ross/155740/|url-status=live}}</ref> He continued his refereeing career after being elected to the Scottish Parliament<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-38078341 |title=Whistle blown on MSP Douglas Ross's refereeing clash |work=BBC News |date=23 November 2016 |access-date=14 September 2017 |archive-date=23 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023145530/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-38078341 |url-status=live }}</ref> and also officiated matches whilst an MP in the UK House of Commons.<ref>{{Cite web |last=PA |first=Ronnie Esplin |date=2023-03-16 |title=Assistant referee Douglas Ross targeted by Celtic fans |url=https://www.irishnews.com/sport/footballsoccer/2023/02/11/news/assistant_referee_douglas_ross_targeted_by_celtic_fans-3053757/ |access-date=2023-09-24 |website=The Irish News |language=en}}</ref> In the House of Commons Register of Members' Interests, Ross declared earnings of more than £2,700 in August and September 2017 for his work as an assistant referee.<ref name = "no formal action"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmregmem/171009/ross_douglas.htm |title=House of Commons – The Register of Members' Financial Interests (9 October 2017: Ross, Douglas) |website=publications.parliament.uk |access-date=18 October 2017 |archive-date=19 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019004815/https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmregmem/171009/ross_douglas.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> In October of that year, Ross told the football authorities that he would no longer accept refereeing appointments during the week while the UK Parliament is sitting.<ref name = "sitting">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-41773971 |title=Referee Tory MP Douglas Ross to miss World Cup |work=BBC News |date=27 October 2017 |access-date=27 October 2017 |archive-date=30 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171030111354/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-41773971 |url-status=live }}</ref> By December 2017, his declared income from 20 domestic and international games since becoming an MP was more than £11,000.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/15773422.Scottish_Tory_MP_s_football_earnings_top___11_000/ |title=Scottish Tory MP Douglas Ross's outside football earnings top £11,000 |first=Tom |last=Gordon |work=The Sunday Herald |date=14 December 2017 |access-date=11 March 2018 |archive-date=11 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180311202302/http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/15773422.Scottish_Tory_MP_s_football_earnings_top___11_000/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In December 2018, [[BBC Sport]] reported that Ross had reduced the number of refereeing appointments due to his work commitments as an MP.<ref name = "dec 2018 referee"/> At this time, he also argued that the [[Scottish Football Association]] should not appoint fully professional referees.<ref name = "dec 2018 referee">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46479915 |title=Referee Douglas Ross not convinced by full-time switch |date=7 December 2018 |access-date=7 December 2018 |publisher=BBC Sport |archive-date=7 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181207120020/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46479915 |url-status=live }}</ref> In August 2020, Ross apologised for not attending a [[Victory over Japan Day|VJ Day]] event as a result of previously agreeing to officiate at a [[Scottish Premiership]] game between [[Kilmarnock F.C.|Kilmarnock]] and [[St Johnstone F.C.|St Johnstone]]. Ross said he would donate his match fee to the charity [[Help for Heroes]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=16 August 2020|title=Tory leader sorry for missing VJ Day event for match|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-53799001|access-date=16 August 2020|archive-date=16 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200816221520/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-53799001|url-status=live}}</ref> In October 2020, he was a linesman at [[Wembley Stadium|Wembley]] for England's 3–0 friendly win against Wales.<ref>{{Cite web|title=England Vs Wales friendly|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2020/oct/08/england-v-wales-international-football-friendly-live|work=The Guardian|date=8 October 2020|access-date=8 October 2020|archive-date=8 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008184144/https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2020/oct/08/england-v-wales-international-football-friendly-live|url-status=live}}</ref> In November 2020, [[FIFA]] were asked to investigate a complaint by a member of the Scottish Football Supporters Association that a Conservative Party leaflet distributed to homes in Scotland included a photograph of Ross as a match official.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mcilkenny |first1=Stephen |title=FIFA asked to investigate use of Douglas Ross linesman photo in Scottish Conservative party leaflet |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/18837977.fifa-asked-investigate-use-douglas-ross-linesman-photo-scottish-conservative-party-leaflet/ |access-date=2 November 2020 |work=The Herald |date=1 November 2020 |archive-date=2 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201102080339/https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/18837977.fifa-asked-investigate-use-douglas-ross-linesman-photo-scottish-conservative-party-leaflet/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Ross stopped officiating games in January 2021 due to injury.<ref name = injury/> He resumed his refereeing career in July 2022, while both Holyrood and Westminster were in recess.<ref name = injury>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-62223132 |title=Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross returns to refereeing role |website=BBC News |date=19 July 2022 |accessdate=19 July 2022}}</ref> ==Personal life== Ross married Krystle in 2015. They have two sons, one who was born in 2019, and another in 2021.<ref name=UKWW>{{cite book|url=https://www.ukwhoswho.com/view/10.1093/ww/9780199540884.001.0001/ww-9780199540884-e-287469|title=Ross, Douglas Gordon|publisher=A & C Black|doi=10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U287469|isbn=978-0-19-954088-4|access-date=29 October 2019|archive-date=29 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191029103450/https://www.ukwhoswho.com/view/10.1093/ww/9780199540884.001.0001/ww-9780199540884-e-287469|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.northern-scot.co.uk/news/moray-mp-parliament-dash-baby-joy-175683/|title=Oh baby! Frantic dash for MP father|work=The Northern Scot|date=13 March 2019|access-date=29 October 2019|last=Beresford|first=Alan|archive-date=29 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191029103451/https://www.northern-scot.co.uk/news/moray-mp-parliament-dash-baby-joy-175683/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-57669918|title=Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross welcomes birth of second son|work=BBC News|date=30 June 2021|access-date=2 July 2021|archive-date=30 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210630183618/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-57669918|url-status=live}}</ref> ==Notes== {{Notelist}} ==References== {{Reflist|30em}} ==External links== {{Wikiquote}} * {{SP-MSP}} *{{UK MP links |parliament=douglas-ross/4627 |publicwhip=Douglas_Ross |theywork=douglas_ross}} {{s-start}} {{s-par|uk}} {{s-bef|before=[[Angus Robertson]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] for [[Moray (UK Parliament constituency)|Moray]]|years=[[2017 United Kingdom general election|2017]]–present}} {{s-inc}} {{s-break}} {{s-ppo}} {{s-bef|before=[[Jackson Carlaw]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[Scottish Conservatives#Leader of the Scottish Conservative Party|Leader of the Scottish Conservative Party]]|years=[[August 2020 Scottish Conservatives leadership election|2020]]–present}} {{s-inc}} {{s-end}} {{Leaders of political parties in the United Kingdom}} {{Scottish political leaders}} {{Conservative MPs serving Scottish constituencies}} {{Conservative MSPs}} {{HighlandsIslands MSPs}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Ross, Douglas}} [[Category:1983 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Conservative MSPs]] [[Category:Members of the Parliament of the United Kingdom for Scottish constituencies]] [[Category:Members of the Scottish Parliament 2016–2021]] [[Category:Members of the Scottish Parliament 2021–2026]] [[Category:People educated at Forres Academy]] [[Category:Politicians from Aberdeen]] [[Category:Alumni of Scotland's Rural College]] [[Category:Scottish Conservative councillors]] [[Category:Scottish Conservative MPs]] [[Category:Leaders of the Scottish Conservatives]] [[Category:Scottish football referees]] [[Category:UK MPs 2017–2019]] [[Category:UK MPs 2019–2024]] [[Category:Scottish Professional Football League referees]]'