Scottish Conservatives leader candidate says MP ‘threatened her career’

Scottish Conservatives leadership candidate Meghan Gallacher has formally complained about one of the party’s MPs, with the MSP understood to be accusing the shadow cabinet member of threatening her career.

Ms Gallacher, one of the three MSPs vying to succeed Douglas Ross, has submitted a complaint about shadow Scotland secretary John Lamont.

Mr Lamont, who is backing her rival Russell Findlay, has strongly denied any wrongdoing.

The Telegraph reported that Ms Gallacher’s complaint was made on Friday after a phone call between herself and the MP for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk last weekend.

After the call, which was heard by Ms Gallacher’s husband on speakerphone, the MSP was reportedly upset and concerned she would be deselected before the Scottish Parliament elections in 2026.

John Lamont is shadow Scotland secretary (Chris McAndrew/UK Parliament) PA Media

However Mr Lamont, who was a junior minister in Rishi Sunak’s government, has strongly denied that he threatened her career and merely said that their relationship had been damaged.

He is contesting the complaint, which will be handled by the party’s headquarters in London.

He said Ms Gallacher’s claims were “defamatory and false” and added “I am now considering further action including legal options”.

Ms Gallacher had earlier alleged a “senior member” of the Tories had been calling party members to falsely suggest she was going to pull out of the race.

A Scottish Conservatives spokesperson told the PA news agency: “The party has received a complaint and this will be investigated in the usual way.”

Along with Ms Gallacher, Mr Findlay and Murdo Fraser are in the race to be the next Scottish Conservatives leader.

STV’s Political Editor Colin Mackay (left) was joined in the broadcaster’s Scotland Tonight studio by the three candidates vying for the position of leader of the Scottish Conservatives – (l-r) Murdo Fraser MSP, Meghan Gallacher MSP and Russell Findlay MSP – ahead of a televised debate tonight (2 September).2/09/24STV / Kirsty Anderson Kirsty Anderson via STV

The party’s final hustings events are taking place this weekend after ballot papers were sent out earlier this week. The winner will be announced on September 27.

Posting on X, formerly Twitter, Mr Fraser said the report of Ms Gallacher’s complaint was “disturbing” and needs to be “thoroughly investigated”.

He added: “I have been a member of this Party for 40 years and little now surprises me, but some of what we have seen in this leadership contest, and in particular the treatment of women, is truly shocking.”

I have been a member of this Party for 40 years and little now surprises me, but some of what we have seen in this leadership contest, and in particular the treatment of women, is truly shocking. It wouldn’t be acceptable in the workplace and we shouldn’t tolerate it (2/3)
— Murdo Fraser (@murdo_fraser) September 7, 2024

Meanwhile MSP Roz McCall, who supports the 32-year-old Ms Gallacher in the leadership contest, also said there should be a full investigation into the matter.

She posted: “As the Honorary President of the Scottish Conservative Women’s Organisation, as a MSP, and as a woman, I am deeply shocked and troubled by this alleged abuse of authority.

“Especially where a woman’s future within the party was reportedly threatened for calling out misinformation.”