Part-Time Tory Skipping Welfare Debate to Referee in Barcelona

Champions League Refereeing Again Priority for Douglas Ross
Part-time Tory MP Douglas Ross is once again skipping his parliamentary duties in order to run the line in a glamour Champions League match – leaving his constituents without a voice during a key debate on social security.

Douglas Ross is a consistent absentee from his MP day job – skipping important debates and committee meetings at Holyrood last year in order to take on lucrative refereeing work in the Champions League. His move from Holyrood to Westminster has not changed his attitude, with his work as an MP playing second fiddle to his assistant refereeing job.

Wednesday sees Westminster host a key debate on the roll-out of Universal Credit – yet Douglas Ross won’t be there to vote on this vital issue. The Moray foodbank has criticised Mr Ross for missing the debate, saying they recently briefed the MP on the impact of Universal Credit on his constituents. Mr Ross recently hit the headlines for launching an attack on the vulnerable Gypsy/Traveller community in Moray.

Stewart Stevenson MSP said:

"Part-time Tory MP Douglas Ross just never learns his lesson.

“He is yet again leaving his constituents without a voice in Parliament because he'd rather rub shoulders with famous footballers.

"This isn't the first time that he's failed to turn up for important meetings, and his constituents will be wondering why he shows no interest in discussing Universal Credit - which is driving up rent arrears and leaving families penniless.

"It's time for two-job Ross to call time on his highly lucrative refereeing career."