Douglas Ross has MP bills ‘reviewed’ by Parliament watchdog

Parliament’s watchdog is looking into claims about Douglas Ross’s expenses, it announced today – a day after his bombshell resignation as Scottish Tory leader.

The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) said it was ‘currently reviewing’ newspaper allegations about Mr Ross’s expenses.

It has been reported that Mr Ross’s advisers flagged concerns over 28 travel claims, which may have been combined with his other work as a football linesman.

The SNP have demanded the senior Conservative explain the expenses in detail and said the allegations raise ‘very significant issues’.

Yesterday, Mr Ross made the surprise announcement he would step down as Scottish Tory leader in Holyrood.

It followed a row over his decision to contest the Aberdeenshire North and Moray East seat at the general election on 4 July.

Mr Ross also confirmed he would quit as a Highlands and Islands MSP if he won the seat.

It has been reported that Douglas Ross’s advisers flagged concerns over 28 travel claims, which may have been combined with his other work as a football linesman

Mr Ross yesterday made the surprise announcement he would step down as Scottish Tory leader in Holyrood

Under UK parliamentary rules, MPs can only claim travel from their home airport – which was either Inverness or Aberdeen in Mr Ross’s case when he was MP for Moray.

They can also claim for ‘diverted’ journeys, but must supply detailed notes on the diversion.

The Sunday Mail reported Mr Ross’s aides raised alarm in November 2021 over expense claims which included a £58 parking fee at Inverness Airport in July 2018 while Parliament was in recess.

It also stated £43 rail travel from Heathrow to central London was claimed the day after Mr Ross was a linesman in a match in Iceland.

Claims also include that he expensed a flight from London to Glasgow and £109 parking.

On November 1, 2020 it is alleged he claimed £48.99 for parking the day he refereed a Celtic game.

Mr Ross told the newspaper it was ‘not possible’ to go from London to a football game as he would not have had his referee kit with him.

He said: ‘I have only ever claimed expenses related to my role as a member of Parliament and the costs of getting me to and from Westminster.

‘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.’

A spokesperson for IPSA said today: ‘We are currently reviewing the information that has appeared in a number of articles over the weekend.

‘If there is evidence of any rules within the Scheme being broken, we will work with the former MP to clarify the situation.

‘If it is necessary, we are also able to refer matters to the Compliance Officer for IPSA for investigation.’

Mr Ross announced his resignation as Scottish Tory leader following a row over his decision to contest the Aberdeenshire North and Moray East seat.

It stemmed from the deselection of former Scotland Office minister David Duguid who was told by the party’s management board he could not stand due to ill health, with Mr Ross stepping in.

The outgoing Scottish Tory leader this morning denied that his fellow Conservative MSPs asked him to resign.

Speaking on BBC Radio’s Good Morning Scotland programme, Mr Ross was asked if his colleagues asked him to step down. He replied: ‘No they did not.’

He added: ‘I’ve listened to concerns from colleagues that they wanted the leader of the Scottish Conservatives to be based in Holyrood.

‘I think it is right that I reflect on what colleagues and others have said and announce that this will be my final campaign as leader of the party.’

When asked whether he had ‘massively misjudged’ how his colleagues would react to him contesting a Westminster seat – after previously stating he would not seek election to focus on his Holyrood and leadership responsibilities – he said: ‘I think it is fair to say that I have listened to their concerns.’

Mr Ross also rejected a suggestion that he was only stepping down from Holyrood if he won the Westminster seat as a ‘job insurance scheme’. He replied: ‘No, it’s not.’

And when put to him that it could be perceived as putting Westminster before Holyrood, he said: ‘I am absolutely not saying that.’