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Richard Lochhead labels Boris Johnson "elitist Trump impersonator"


By Jonathan Clark

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SNP MSP Richard Lochhead has said Boris Johnson is an "elitist Trump impersonator" and a "complete charlatan" in response to Conservative MP Douglas Ross' support for the would be Prime Minister.

Douglas Ross responded by saying he is unsurprised by the criticism, and added he had "thought long and hard" about his decision.

Mr Lochhead compared Boris Johnson to U.S. President Donald Trump.
Mr Lochhead compared Boris Johnson to U.S. President Donald Trump.

Mr Johnson is by far and away the favourite to be the new UK Prime Minister, and Douglas Ross announced this morning via Twitter he would be voting for Mr Johnson, who comfortably won the first ballot, in the second round of the leadership election today.

Richard Lochhead responded to Mr Ross' decision to back Boris Johnson with a scathing assessment of the former foreign secretary.

He said: "Boris Johnson as Prime Minister would be bad news for Moray and Scotland and make the UK even more of a laughing stock internationally. His abhorrent views and approach to public office make him wholly inappropriate for leadership or to be even allowed a sniff of power.

"He is an elitist Trump impersonator and complete charlatan and is not fit to lead the country. His vulgar politics do not represent the tolerant and decent values of people in Moray.

"It’s difficult to fathom why Douglas Ross is supporting this extreme right-wing Brexiteer unless he’s seen the way the wind is blowing in his party and wishes to bag himself a third job.

"Whatever his reason, if Boris wins and subsequently inflicts even more damage on Moray Mr Ross will reap what he has sown."

Mr Ross voted for Mark Harper in the first ballot, but he was eliminated with just 3.2 per cent of the vote.

He responded to the criticism from Mr Lochhead, saying: "I didn’t support Boris in the first round, but sadly the candidate I was backing was eliminated. I thought long and hard over the weekend and met again with many of the candidates ahead of taking my decision.

"Moray had one of the closest Brexit votes in Scotland and I believe we need a Leave voter to deliver Brexit and I think Boris is the best placed to do that.

"I am in absolutely no doubt that whoever I chose to support would have immediately been criticised by the SNP and they will use whoever is the next Prime Minister as a reason to call for another independence referendum.

"Ultimately I believe we have a range of candidates who will do well in the role of Prime Minister but I had to choose one to support and have taken the decision I have."


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