Scottish Conservative MSP stands by call for Boris Johnson to quit

A Scottish Conservative MSP has doubled down on his call for Boris Johnson to resign as Prime Minister.

Maurice Golden, who represents the North East Scotland region, said it remains his position that Johnson should go.

It’s despite his party leader, Douglas Ross, having withdrawn his own call for the Prime Minister to quit.

Golden was speaking on the BBC’s Politics Scotland programme on Wednesday a week after his party lost 63 councillors in the local election.

The fallout from partygate – in which Johnson and Sunak were both handed fines for breaking lockdown rules – has been blamed as a key factor in the Conservatives losing seats across the UK.

But although he still believes Johnson should exit Number 10, Golden still gave his backing to Ross as Scottish Conservative leader.

“Yes, of course,” said Golden when asked whether Ross’ position is safe.

“It was our second best result in a generation, but that doesn’t mean I’m not bitterly disappointed.

“Clearly the voters were not focusing on local issues and ultimately, it was partygate that people voted with.

“And that’s why the SNP had Boris on their bus for example.”

Golden told the BBC that Johnson should still resign as Prime Minister.

“I’ve never flip-flopped, that’s not in my nature,” said the Scottish Conservative MSP.

“I called on the Prime Minister to resign and that remains my position.”

SNP MSP Rona Mackay insisted that Boris Johnson must resign, having broken the law.

“This admission from Maurice Golden just shows that the Tories are too distracted by fighting with themselves over partygate instead of tackling the cost of living crisis,” she said.

“Douglas Ross has flip-flopped throughout this saga and has lost all credibility within his party and with the people of Scotland.

“That is why the Tories suffered significant losses across the country in the local elections last week.

“Boris Johnson has broken the law and lied to the public, he must resign.”