Conservatives rule out former MP for General Election candidacy due to health issues
Former Conservative candidate for Aberdeenshire North and Moray East David Duguid was informed on Wednesday evening by the party that it would no longer be putting him forward to contest the seat in the July 4 General Election.
Douglas Ross announced on Thursday morning that it was his intention to seek the party’s nomination for the candidacy before the Friday, June 7 deadline.
The party’s management board concluded that Mr Duguid could not proceed as the Conservative candidate. It is understood that this decision was made on health grounds.
Mr Duguid has been in hospital for a number of weeks after being treated for an illness affecting his spine.
He has been the MP for Banff and Buchan since 2017.
In a post on social media on Wednesday evening Mr Duguid said: “Last week I informed you of my rehabilitation progress and how I was looking forward to campaigning (albeit without knocking on doors) for the upcoming election.
“I am pleased to say that my recovery programme is well on schedule, thanks to the excellent NHS staff in Queen Elizabeth Hospital Spinal Injury Unit.
“Notwithstanding this, and despite my having been adopted by our local members, and my continuing willingness to stand, the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party has informed me tonight that they have decided not to put me forward as their chosen candidate for Aberdeenshire North and Moray East.”
A Conservative spokesperson said: “David has been an excellent MP and great local representative for the last seven years.
“We thank David for all his hard work for the party, we look forward to his recovery to full health, and hope that he will want to rejoin frontline politics in the future.”
