Scots Tory leader Douglas Ross declares he will stand to be MP and ‘beat the SNP’ after sick colleague is blocked from seeking re-election – despite previously announcing he would quit Commons to focus on Holyrood

Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross today declared he will stand as an MP after a sick colleague was barred from re-election.

Mr Ross announced he wants to be nominated as a candidate in Aberdeenshire North and Moray East.

The move comes despite Ross previously saying he would step down from the House of Commons to focus on his role at Holyrood.

Speaking at a press conference EdinburghMr Ross paid tribute to Mr Duguid, saying he had not ‘expected’ to participate but had decided he had to ‘lead from the front’.

‘I know how to beat the SNP and I know how important it is to local voters that we do that,” he said.

Mr Duguid was elected MP for Banff and Buchan, the seat bordering Mr Ross’s old Moray constituency, in 2017. But significant boundary changes have led to the creation of Aberdeenshire North and Moray East, which will be up for grabs on July 4.

Former minister Duguid has recently been in ill health and spent several weeks in hospital, but said he was looking forward to being involved in the election campaign.

Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross is set to declare he will stand as an MP after a sick colleague was barred from re-election.

Former minister David Duguid has recently been in ill health and spent several weeks in hospital, but said he was looking forward to being involved in the election campaign

However, in a post on social media last night he said he had been informed by the Scottish Tories that they have decided not to put him forward as their chosen candidate for Aberdeenshire North and Moray East.

Mr Ross said today: ‘Going forward we need a candidate at short notice who can fight for this seat. Nominations close tomorrow.

‘This is one of many seats we are defending against the SNP – and one we absolutely want to win with the support of local voters.

‘Over the past twelve hours I have weighed and discussed the options with my family, colleagues and local members.

‘Following boundary changes, this new seat includes part of my former constituency of Moray, and part of the council ward I was first elected to in 2007.

‘This constituency will be very competitive, a hard-fought battle between the Scottish Conservatives and the SNP. I’ve decided I have to lead from the front.”

Mr Duguid spent four weeks in intensive care at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, where he was treated for an illness that affected his spine. He was then transferred to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Glasgow almost a month ago to continue treatment.

In a post on

‘I am pleased to say that my recovery program is well on track thanks to the excellent NHS staff at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Spinal Injury Unit.

‘Notwithstanding this, and despite my having been adopted by our local members, the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party have informed me this evening that they have decided not to put me forward as their chosen candidate for Aberdeenshire North and Moray East.’

Mr Ross praised Mr Duguid and wished him the best for the future.

In a post on

“As a Neighboring Member I worked closely with him and he was an excellent member of the Scottish Affairs Committee.

‘I wish him and his family all the best for his continued recovery.’

Mr Duguid served twice as Secretary of State for Scotland, from June 2020 to September 2021 and from September to October 2022.

A Scottish Conservative spokesman said: ‘David Duguid is unfortunately unable to stand as a candidate in this election.

“David has been an excellent MP and a great local representative over the last seven years.

‘We thank David for all his hard work for the party, we look forward to his recovery and full health, and hope he will join the frontline of politics again in the future.’