Home   News   Article

Moray MP and conservative leader Douglas Ross in hot water after Forres VJ Day no-show


By Jonathan Clark

Easier access to your trusted, local news. Subscribe to a digital package and support local news publishing.



Click here to sign up to our free newsletters!

MORAY MP Douglas Ross has apologised after missing a VJ Day commemoration to officiate a football match.

The newly-appointed Scottish conservative leader was linesman for Kilmarnock's 2-1 home defeat against St Johnstone on Saturday, missing the marking of VJ Day in Forres.

Moray's SNP MSP Richard Lochhead said Mr Ross' no-show was "deeply disappointing and very disrespectful".

VJ Day was marked in Forres on Saturday. Picture: Forres and District Pipe Band Facebook.
VJ Day was marked in Forres on Saturday. Picture: Forres and District Pipe Band Facebook.

Mr Ross said he was due to officiate the game before and invite to the VJ Day commemoration came, but admitted he "got it wrong".

Apologising, Mr Ross said: "I was selected to officiate a game before I was invited to the VJ Day event, and I offered apologies in advance that I could not attend.

"I had not anticipated there being an official VJ Day event given the current restrictions due to covid, but when it became clear there was a conflict, I should have asked to be taken off my game. I got this wrong and apologise.

"I am a proud and passionate supporter of our armed forces and veterans. I represent a constituency with a significant military presence and have worked with local and national charities supporting veterans throughout my time as an elected representative.

"I made an error of judgement here and I apologise to any veteran who was offended. I will be donating my match fee to Help For Heroes, a charity that does so much across the country supporting our veterans every day of the year."

Mr Lochhead, who attended a VJ Day commemoration in Elgin on Saturday, said: "The reason why Douglas Ross failed to turn up at the VJ Day 75th Anniversary ceremony in Forres was deeply disappointing and very disrespectful, especially given Moray’s long association with the armed services. Following the public backlash, I welcome his apology.

A service was held at the Plainstones on Elgin High Street to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Victory in Japan...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
A service was held at the Plainstones on Elgin High Street to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Victory in Japan...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Vice Lord- Lieutenant Nancy Robson salutes the War Memorial...A service was held at the Plainstones on Elgin High Street to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Victory in Japan...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..
Vice Lord- Lieutenant Nancy Robson salutes the War Memorial...A service was held at the Plainstones on Elgin High Street to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Victory in Japan...Picture: Daniel Forsyth..

“A pattern is emerging with Mr Ross, who repeatedly fails to understand the impact of his actions and in this case he failed to grasp the significance of an event that was attended by civic leaders, local serving personnel and veterans.

“To treat such an important and unique ceremony as a diary inconvenience because he wanted to run the line at a football match speaks volumes about the man that is an MP and now party leader who aspires to be First Minister.

“The ceremony was about remembering the sacrifice of previous generations yet the local MP wasn’t even willing to make a small sacrifice to be there.

“Mr Ross often boasts about his thick skin but this often comes across as arrogance. His priorities are all wrong and whilst his latest apology is welcome his actions speak louder than words.”

Councillor Aaron McLean (Forres, SNP) added: "It is not the first time Douglas has made this decision and had to apologise for not representing Moray, as he was elected to do, and instead refereeing.

"He has said in the past that his elected duties would not be affected by his refereeing ones, but it seems they are firmly rooted to the bottom of the league of his priorities."

More Forres news.



Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More