Former Moray MP Douglas Ross would have “no issue” having expenses scrutinised amid travel cost allegations
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FORMER Moray MP Douglas Ross says that he would have “no issue” with his expenses being scrutinised after concerns were raised over 28 of his parliamentary travel claims.
The Sunday Mail reported over the weekend that Mr Ross’ own advisers raised concerns regarding the claims which may have been tied to his work as a football linesman.
Under UK parliamentary rules, MPs can only claim expenses on travel from their home airport which for Mr Ross was Aberdeen or Inverness during his time as Moray MP.
Some of the claims reportedly flagged internally by Mr Ross’ team in November 2021 include:
• Claimed £58 for parking at Inverness Airport in July 2018 while parliament was in recess
• Claimed £43 rail travel also in July 2018 from Heathrow to central London the day after refereeing a match in Iceland
• Claimed for a flight from London to Glasgow and for £109 parking with NCP car parks in October 2019
• Claimed £48.99 for parking the day after refereeing a game involving Celtic in November 2020
The Sunday Mail reports that it cannot identify the other claims without access to specific dates and receipts.
Meanwhile, Mr Ross says that he has only ever claimed expenses relating to his role as an MP adding that he would have “no issue” with his expenses being scrutinised again.
"With respect to expenses, I have only ever claimed costs related to my role as a member of parliament and for getting me to and from Westminster,” Mr Ross said.
“These have all been agreed by IPSA, the independent body that oversees MPs expenses, but I would have no issue with them being scrutinised again.”
The SNP have called on Mr Ross to make a personal statement to the Scottish Parliament about his expenses.
Stewart Hosie, the party’s campaign director, said: “Members of Parliament must be given the opportunity to quiz Mr Ross on whether he has been using taxpayers' money to cover costs for his third job as a linesman.”
The news comes after a tumultuous week for Mr Ross in which he announced his intentions to stand for election as an MP in the newly-formed Aberdeenshire North and Moray East constituency.
The announcement came after the party effectively deselected David Duguid as their candidate for the seat reportedly on health grounds.
However, Mr Duguid maintains that he was fit to contest the seat despite currently being in hospital.
Mr Ross has since announced that he will stand down as leader of the Scottish Conservatives after the General Election.
He also confirmed that he will stand down as an MSP if elected as an MP on July 4.
Mr Ross said: “I have combined the roles of MP for Moray, MSP for the Highlands and Islands and leader for over three years now and believed I could continue to do so if re-elected to Westminster, but on reflection, that is not feasible.
“I am committed to fighting and winning the Aberdeenshire North and Moray East constituency.
“Should I be given the honour to represent the people and communities of this new seat, they should know being their MP would receive my complete focus and attention.”
A spokesperson for Moray MSP Richard Lochhead, who is currently unwell in hospital, has described Mr Ross’ decision to stand as an MP as a “massive own goal”.
The spokesperson added: “With David Duguid being pushed aside in such a heartless manner this was a move too nasty even for the Tories.
“Now his MSP role has gone from priority to plan B but being a plan B MSP is untenable and an insult to every voter he currently represents.
“Serving your constituents in our Scottish Parliament should be an absolute privilege.
“The Scottish Tories and their election campaign are now imploding after the mess he’s created.”
