Latest news with #RossThomson
Daily Record
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
Former Scots Tory MP who backs Donald Trump appeared in Reform UK video
EXCLUSIVE: Ross Thomson can be seen in Reform social media contact plugging a visit by chair David Bull. A former Scots Tory MP who backs Donald Trump has appeared in Reform UK's latest Scottish video. Ross Thomson can be seen chatting to Reform chair David Bull in the promo less than a year after backing Russell Findlay for the Conservative leadership in Scotland. A Tory source said he is no longer a member of their party. Thomson had been a Tory MSP and MP but he did not seek re-election in the Aberdeen South seat in 2019. He had been accused of sexual harassment in a House of Commons bar, but he was cleared. A cameo in a Reform UK video of Bull's trip to Perth at the weekend has now fuelled speculation he could be the latest Tory to jump ship to Nigel Farage 's right wing party. In the video, Bull said he was in Scotland because Reform is doing 'so well' north of the border, before cutting to an image of him speaking to Thomson. In last year's Scottish Tory leadership contest, Thomson vocally backed Findlay. He wrote on X: "After the hustings in Aberdeen, it's clear that @RussellFindlay1 is the best candidate to lead the @ScotTories. He'll champion our vital oil & gas sector and offer a real, common sense, conservative alternative to the socialist parties at Holyrood. He's also a really nice guy!' Findlay responded with a grateful message that included a gold star. Thomson is fervently pro-Trump and dined with the President at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. It was reported in April that he had secured a new job with one of Trump 's golf resorts. In 2018, he ran into controversy after reportedly posting himself sitting on the throne of Saddam Hussein. He was accused of 'trivialising" the dictator's bloody reign after writing: "Another terrific day in Iraq. Saddam 's throne at the British embassy."
Edinburgh Reporter
15-05-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
East Lothian pupils build on basic DIY skills
Barratt Homes East Scotland have introduced pupils at Rosehill High School in Wallyford to ways of improving their basic DIY skills. The housebuilder, which is currently developing properties at nearby St Clements Brae, recently hosted a masterclass session led by members of the construction team. The session was aimed at S1 pupils with 20 individuals taking part. According to recent insights from Halfords, younger generations – such as Gen Z – struggle to carry out basic household DIY tasks, often paying for them to be done externally instead of undertaking them themselves. With this in mind, the masterclass session focused on household and gardening tasks such as how to change lightbulbs, using spirit level, basic pipework, bricklaying and how to sand, prep, paint and prime surfaces. The session ended with a Q&A with the Barratt Homes team for those interested in a career in construction. Ross Thomson, Curriculum Leader for Science and Technology at Rosehill High School, said: 'What a great experience Barratt Homes provided for our S1 pupils. Linking in with employers always provides a rich learning experience for pupils in a practical context. There was a great buzz around the session and our Rosehill S1 pupils did themselves proud. A huge thanks to the Barratt Homes team that visited us on the day who delivered such a good session.' Alan Lyall, Construction Director at Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes East Scotland, said: 'As a business, we'd like to extend our thanks to Rosehill High School for allowing us to trial our masterclass at the school. The feedback we have received from teachers, pupils and our own team has been very positive, and we hope the skills learned can be carried with the pupils throughout their lives – saving them money in the process! 'Wherever it can, Barratt looks to support the communities in which it builds and investing in schools is just one way the company is honouring this commitment. We look forward to rolling these sessions out further at other schools across the country.' Rosehill High School is a local catchment school for Barratt Homes East Scotland's St Clements development in Wallyford, which includes St Clements Brae. Three and four-bedroom homes start at £269,995. For more information on Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes in the East of Scotland, visit Like this: Like Related
