Douglas Ross kicked out of FMQs after fiery clash
The Scottish Tories have released a statement accusing the Presiding Officer of 'blatant bias'
DRAMATIC EXIT Douglas Ross kicked out of First Minister's Questions after heckling John Swinney as Presiding Officer accused of 'bias'
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FORMER Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross has been booted out of First Minister's Questions after heckling John Swinney.
Mr Ross shouted out after the First Minister had attacked Scottish Tory boss Russell Findlay over Brexit during a fiery clash about support for farmers.
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Douglas Ross glares at Alison Johnstone as he exits the Holyrood chamber.
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First Minister John Swinney was being heckled by Scottish Tory MSPs.
Credit: Alamy
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Former Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross was removed from parliament during FMQs
Credit: Alamy
It came after Mr Findlay claimed farmers had been given 'no reassurance' by his SNP rival amid concerns over the Government's net zero target.
And Mr Swinney responded: 'What was not reassuring to farmers was the Brexit that Mr Findlay supported.'
But, as Scottish Tory MSPs loudly heckled the First Minister, Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone turned her fire on the Moray MSP.
She told the chamber: 'Let's hear one another. Mr Ross, you have persistently refused to abide by our standing orders and I would ask you to leave this chamber, and you are excluded for the rest of the day.'
However, with Mr Ross appearing to refuse to leave, Ms Johnstone said: 'Mr Ross, I have asked you to leave the chamber, please do so.'
After gathering his belongings and heading to the exit, Mr Ross glared at Ms Johnstone, who ignored him and then allowed the First Minister to continue.
She then reprimanded another Scottish Tory MSP, Douglas Lumsden, telling him: 'Please refrain from shouting from your seat.'
Following the exchange, a Scottish Tory spokesman said: "The Presiding Officer has shown a consistent pattern to favour certain parties at the expense of others.
"We will be seeking discussions to reiterate that the Presiding Officer should not show blatant bias."
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