Perthshire Conservative MSP says prime minister's position is "untenable" following Sue Gray report
27.05.2022 - 12:11
/ dailyrecord.co.uk
A Perthshire-based Conservative MSP has stood by her belief Boris Johnson should resign over Partygate.
Local Tory representative Liz Smith’s views echo local SNP MPs Pete Wishart and John Nicolson’s calls for the prime minister to go.
The politicians spoke out following this week’s publication of the Sue Gray report.
Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Liz said her position has not changed - unlike Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross and fellow Conservative Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser.
Ms Smith said: “My position has not changed since December when this issue arose. I said then the prime minister’s position was untenable and continue to believe this.
“What has happened has undermined trust between the office of the prime minister and the general public, and I fully understand why people are angry and frustrated.”
In March Douglas Ross withdrew his calls for the prime minister to resign. Murdo Fraser - who had also previously called for Boris Johnson to go - backed Mr Ross in this.
On March 10 Mr Fraser tweeted: “This is the right move at this time. It would be deeply irresponsible to seek to change prime minister when the international situation is as it is.”
Approached this week - following the publication of Sue Gray’s report - Mr Fraser said he did not wish to comment.
Earlier this month two local Tory councillors said Partygate had an impact on the Conservative vote. The Conservatives lost four seats in Perth and Kinross Council in the May 5 elections and control of the council to the SNP, who overtook them to become PKC’s largest political group.
Conservative councillor Chris Ahern said: “I do think Partygate had an impact not just in Perth and Kinross but nationally as can be seen by the numbers.”