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Telegraph

Scottish Tory quits in protest over ‘appalling' treatment of MSP

'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.' Ms Gallacher had accused John Lamont, who was shadow Scottish Secretary at the time, of threatening her political career during a phone call amid a bitter row during last year's contest. The MSP for Central Scotland lodged a complaint amid claims Mr Lamont had told members she was dropping out of the race and would endorse another candidate, Murdo Fraser. Gallacher reportedly said during a subsequent phone call to discuss the matter, she felt Lamont threatened her future political career. Mr Lamont, who supported Russell Findlay's successful leadership campaign, said at the time that he was considering legal action following the 'defamatory and false' allegations. Following the ruling by Tory headquarters, he expressed disappointment that the 'entirely avoidable episode' had happened in the first place but vowed to move on and work with Ms Gallacher in the future. Mr Ferguson said his decision to resign from the Tory Party was not a reflection of his local group and that he will continue to represent North Ayrshire as an independent. He added: '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.' A Scottish Tory spokesman said the party 'does not discuss internal matters', adding: 'We wish councillor Ferguson well.'