Scots Tory councillor quits after blasting 'cowardly smear campaign' against female MSP
A Scots Tory councillor has quit the party after claiming an MSP has been the victim of a 'cowardly smear campaign' by senior Conservatives.
Todd Ferguson said Meghan Gallacher had been treated 'appallingly' after raising concerns about bullying and insisted the party "lost its way, its moral authority, and its integrity."
Gallacher was one of the candidates in a bitter contest last year that was won by Russell Findlay.
She lodged a complaint amid claims Tory MP John Lamont had told members she was dropping out of the race.
Lamont, strongly denied the allegations and said at the time he was considering legal action.
On social media, Ferguson, who was hired by Gallacher to work in her office, quit the party after posting an excoriating resignation statement.
The North Ayrshire councillor said: 'The way Meghan Gallacher MSP, an exceptional politician and inspirational young mother, has been treated by this party, after having the courage and confidence to stand in the leadership contest and then for bravely speaking out about bullying and threatening behaviour, is appalling.
'A complaint was made in good faith. Instead of handling it with the discretion and seriousness it deserved, senior figures have weaponised the findings by leaking them to the Daily Mail to launch another cowardly smear campaign against Meghan. That's not just a failure of process, it's a failure of character.
'For me, this is the final straw in a long and growing list.
'This is a party that has lost its way, its moral authority, and its integrity. It no longer upholds conservative values, it twists them, abandons them, and then talks of 'common sense' as if that excuses the rot at its core.'
He added: 'There are far too many career politicians in this party who are in it for themselves, not the country. They posture, play games, and spin narratives while ordinary people are crying out for leadership, decency, and competency. It is little wonder the party is being punished in by-elections and polls right across the UK.
'I want to be clear: my decision is not a reflection on the North Ayrshire and Arran Association, my local councillor group, or the voters from across the political divide who put their trust in me. They have been nothing short of outstanding.
'But I will not be complicit in propping up a party that now punishes integrity and protects arrogance.
'I will serve the remainder of my council term as an Independent. And I'll be watching carefully, as many are, to see what new political movement may rise to give voice to the decent, forgotten working class majority in Britain.'
Findlay's Tories have been rocked by a spate of defections to Reform UK.
Opinion polls show the Tories could come fourth at the Holyrood election.
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