Removing PM would be ‘extremely dangerous’ during Ukraine war, says Ross
The Scottish Tory leader was previously one of the most senior voices calling for the Prime Minister to go.
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Seeking to remove the Prime Minister from office during the Russian invasion of Ukraine would be “extremely dangerous”, Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross has said.
Mr Ross was previously one of the leading voices within the Tories calling for Boris Johnson’s resignation over the partygate saga – a position which received the vocal support of most of the party’s 31 MSPs.
But last week the Moray MP revoked his letter of no confidence from the backbench 1922 Committee, citing the need for stability in Government as it looks to respond to the ongoing aggression in Ukraine.
The Prime Minister is due to address the Scottish Tory conference in Aberdeen on Friday in a speech that will mostly centre around the Ukraine situation.
Speaking to the Telegraph, Mr Ross cautioned against removing the Prime Minister during a time of such international strife.
“I think it would be extremely dangerous to try to destabilise the United Kingdom when Russia is killing innocent people in Ukraine,” he said.
“Seeking to remove the Prime Minister just now would be a big boost to Vladimir Putin.”
He also stressed that his disagreement with the Prime Minister is not a personal one, adding: “There was never a personal rift between us. There was a disagreement on one fundamental issue.
“Behind the scenes, I continue to speak with the Prime Minister’s team on a regular basis and I am looking forward to discussing the war in Ukraine with him this weekend.”
When asked if he will support the Prime Minister to lead his party into the next general election, Mr Ross declined to answer and instead said he would prefer to focus on the task in Ukraine.
“I’m fully focused on the international crisis and the war in Ukraine, not some future general election years down the line,” he said.
“Previous reservations I had are the last thing on my mind when I see Russia bombing children’s wards.”
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