The journey from investigating organised criminals to leading the official opposition at the Scottish Parliament isn’t a well-trodden path but it’s the one Russell Findlay has taken.
On Friday morning, he was announced as the winner of the Scottish Conservative leadership contest.
He’ll replace Douglas Ross and will soon become a well-known face at Holyrood as he spars against the First Minister at the weekly FMQs.
Growing up, Findlay went to school at Douglas Academy, a state school in Milngavie near Glasgow.
He then went on to study journalism at what is now called Edinburgh Napier University.
While he’s vocal on his political opinions, he has been a lot more private about his personal and family life.
He has been a Conservative MSP for the West Scotland region since 2021, having come third in the Paisley constituency, and has served as his party’s justice spokesperson.
Before the safe seats of Holyrood though, he was an investigative crime reporter at titles including the Sunday Mail, Scottish Sun and STV News.
In 2015, he was the victim of an acid attack by a criminal posing as a postman on his doorstep.
The attack was carried out in front of Findlay’s young daughter and he narrowly avoided serious injury.
As well as covering organised crime, his investigation into the disappearance of Margaret Fleming was instrumental in the prosecution of her killers Avril Jones and Edward Cairney.
His interview with the couple, who were Margaret’s guardians, was used by prosecutors in the trial to convict them of her murder – and of claiming Margaret’s benefits for almost two decades after she had died.
To the surprise of his colleagues at the time, Russell joined the Scottish Tories as head of communications in 2020 before running for Holyrood a year later.
Throughout his four years as an MSP, he has been a fierce critic of the Scottish Government and vocal on issues such as gender reforms and the Hate Crime Act.
His elevation to the top job wasn’t a great surprise though given reports that Ross was keen for Findlay to replace him, and he was seen early on as the favourite to win.
During the contest, Police Scotland warned Findlay about a threat to his life by a “known criminal”, thought to be linked to the acid attack.
The Tory politician was undeterred though, saying he wouldn’t let gangland threats stop him from running.
“You can’t run away from threats,” he said. “It does not work. You have to be defiant and stand firm for what you believe in.”
He faces a tough time in the top job though. His party gained just 12.5% of the vote at the General Election – its worst-ever performance.
And the leadership contest sparked by Ross’ resignation has led to infighting among Tory MSPs, including accusations of an “establishment stitch-up” and “dirty tricks” by some of the candidate’s supporters.
In 2026, Russell will face his first election as party leader at Holyrood. The Tories are at serious risk of losing their status as the second-biggest party.
And the new Reform UK party created by Nigel Farage will be clipping their heels, having come ahead of the Tories in several seats at the General Election.
Findlay will now be tasked with bringing together a party that has been struggling in recent months.
But his leadership also presents the party with opportunities, and he has vowed to break up the “cosy socialist consensus at Holyrood” and bring forward “common sense” Tory values.
He appears ready for a challenge, pledging to “win back public trust” in the party and offering hope to Scots “scunnered” with the “fringe obsessions of the Scottish Parliament”.
He has promised to represent the unrepresented, unify a party divided and give hope to those “let down and failed by politicians of every single party”.
“If you feel that way, I get it,” he said.
“But I am not the same, I am not a career politician. I understand your frustrations and your sense that nobody really represents the views you share and hold. That is going to change.
“Under my leadership, the Scottish Conservatives are going to change.
“We will work hard to earn your trust by doing things differently.
“We will be a voice for decent mainstream Scotland and the values of hard work, self-reliance, and value for taxpayers.”
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