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Scottish Tories 'very frustrated' by party leadership turmoil Scottish Tories 'very frustrated' by party leadership turmoil
(30 minutes later)
Craig Hoy said the events at Westminster had been a distractionCraig Hoy said the events at Westminster had been a distraction
Scottish Tories are "very frustrated" by the UK party's leadership turmoil, according to their chairman.Scottish Tories are "very frustrated" by the UK party's leadership turmoil, according to their chairman.
Craig Hoy told BBC Scotland his colleagues want to focus on holding the SNP to account over independence.Craig Hoy told BBC Scotland his colleagues want to focus on holding the SNP to account over independence.
Supporters of ex-PM Boris Johnson are resolute that he will stand, with Rishi Sunak and Penny Mordaunt joining the race following Liz Truss's resignation.Supporters of ex-PM Boris Johnson are resolute that he will stand, with Rishi Sunak and Penny Mordaunt joining the race following Liz Truss's resignation.
Deputy first minister John Swinney said the Tories had fallen into disrepute as he called for a general election.Deputy first minister John Swinney said the Tories had fallen into disrepute as he called for a general election.
The latest headlines from ScotlandThe latest headlines from Scotland
Read more stories on Scottish politicsRead more stories on Scottish politics
Liz Truss was forced to stand down after 45 days in office - the shortest premiership of any UK prime minister - as her policy programme spooked the financial markets.Liz Truss was forced to stand down after 45 days in office - the shortest premiership of any UK prime minister - as her policy programme spooked the financial markets.
The race for the party's next leader has begun with a winner being declared on Friday.The race for the party's next leader has begun with a winner being declared on Friday.
According to our own BBC figures, which are constantly being updated, Mr Sunak has 146 Conservative MPs who have publicly given him their backing, while Mr Johnson has 57 and Ms Mordaunt has 24according to BBC research. According to our own BBC figures, which are being updated here, Mr Sunak has 146 Conservative MPs who have publicly given him their backing, while Mr Johnson has 57 and Ms Mordaunt has 24according to BBC research.
However, there has also been speculation that Mr Johnson and Mr Sunak could strike a deal after they met on Saturday night.However, there has also been speculation that Mr Johnson and Mr Sunak could strike a deal after they met on Saturday night.
Boris Johnson arrived back in the UK from holiday on SaturdayBoris Johnson arrived back in the UK from holiday on Saturday
During an appearance on BBC Scotland's The Sunday Show, Scottish Conservatives chairman Craig Hoy was pressed on whether his party could realistically lead a government in the wake of recent financial chaos.During an appearance on BBC Scotland's The Sunday Show, Scottish Conservatives chairman Craig Hoy was pressed on whether his party could realistically lead a government in the wake of recent financial chaos.
It was put to him that other parties including Labour and the SNP have called for a general election.It was put to him that other parties including Labour and the SNP have called for a general election.
He said: "This is well within the constitution and within the rules and I think what the Scottish and British people now want us to do is to govern in their interest, which is to seriously tackle the issues we see in the economy.He said: "This is well within the constitution and within the rules and I think what the Scottish and British people now want us to do is to govern in their interest, which is to seriously tackle the issues we see in the economy.
"And don't forget that many of these issues are global issues, which is why the distraction of events at Westminster has been very, very frustrating for us as Scottish Conservatives as well because we want to focus on holding the SNP to account.""And don't forget that many of these issues are global issues, which is why the distraction of events at Westminster has been very, very frustrating for us as Scottish Conservatives as well because we want to focus on holding the SNP to account."
Johnson clearly going to stand for PM, backer saysJohnson clearly going to stand for PM, backer says
SNP are preparing for general election - BlackfordSNP are preparing for general election - Blackford
Could Boris Johnson really make a comeback?Could Boris Johnson really make a comeback?
Asked to comment on whether the Scottish Conservatives could work with Mr Johnson if he were to become PM for a second time, Mr Hoy said "we don't even know if he will throw his hat into the ring".Asked to comment on whether the Scottish Conservatives could work with Mr Johnson if he were to become PM for a second time, Mr Hoy said "we don't even know if he will throw his hat into the ring".
He reiterated his position that it would be "inappropriate" for him to declare support for any candidate.He reiterated his position that it would be "inappropriate" for him to declare support for any candidate.
"I think we should be very cautious of hypothetical situations," he added."I think we should be very cautious of hypothetical situations," he added.
"We will have this wrapped up by Friday so that we can start to focus on the people's priorities and that is making sure that we help households both here in Scotland and throughout the rest of the UK.""We will have this wrapped up by Friday so that we can start to focus on the people's priorities and that is making sure that we help households both here in Scotland and throughout the rest of the UK."
Conservatives 'must realise mistakes'Conservatives 'must realise mistakes'
Boris Johnson's final months in office were dogged by accusations he broke ministerial rules by not telling the truth about parties in Downing Street during the Covid lockdown.Boris Johnson's final months in office were dogged by accusations he broke ministerial rules by not telling the truth about parties in Downing Street during the Covid lockdown.
He remains under investigation by the Parliamentary Standards Committee, which could lead to him being suspended from Parliament, or being kicked out as an MP.He remains under investigation by the Parliamentary Standards Committee, which could lead to him being suspended from Parliament, or being kicked out as an MP.
John Swinney accused the Conservatives of treating the leadership race as their "plaything", a move he said had "completely wrecked" their reputation.John Swinney accused the Conservatives of treating the leadership race as their "plaything", a move he said had "completely wrecked" their reputation.
John Swinney told the BBC the Tories had fallen into disreputeJohn Swinney told the BBC the Tories had fallen into disrepute
Reiterating his party's calls for a general election, Mr Swinney said: "The Conservative Party has to realise itself that it's no longer fit to govern and that the people of this country must be given the chance to decide on the way we are governed moving forward.Reiterating his party's calls for a general election, Mr Swinney said: "The Conservative Party has to realise itself that it's no longer fit to govern and that the people of this country must be given the chance to decide on the way we are governed moving forward.
"If we put enough pressure on them, then the Conservative Party has to realise the mistakes that they have made and be held to account.""If we put enough pressure on them, then the Conservative Party has to realise the mistakes that they have made and be held to account."
Mr Hoy argued that the country "would be in a much deeper hole" if it was to pursue independence according to the SNP's economy paper released on Monday.Mr Hoy argued that the country "would be in a much deeper hole" if it was to pursue independence according to the SNP's economy paper released on Monday.
Indy opponents and some economists including the Institute for Fiscal Studies have said the paper lacks detail on key issues.Indy opponents and some economists including the Institute for Fiscal Studies have said the paper lacks detail on key issues.
However, Mr Swinney said Scotland was "very finely balanced" on the issue of independence.However, Mr Swinney said Scotland was "very finely balanced" on the issue of independence.
'Living within our resources''Living within our resources'
He said further information would be set out in the coming weeks and months that would "provide answers that people are looking for".He said further information would be set out in the coming weeks and months that would "provide answers that people are looking for".
The deputy first minister said: "We've got a credibility of a government - and to be fair to governments of all political colours in Scotland - for 22 years of living within our resources.The deputy first minister said: "We've got a credibility of a government - and to be fair to governments of all political colours in Scotland - for 22 years of living within our resources.
"That gives fiscal credibility to the Scottish government. Build that onto an independent central bank and that begins to build the financial credibility that is essential - and which has been squandered by the Conservative Party by its behaviour in recent weeks.""That gives fiscal credibility to the Scottish government. Build that onto an independent central bank and that begins to build the financial credibility that is essential - and which has been squandered by the Conservative Party by its behaviour in recent weeks."
Meanwhile, Shadow Scottish Secretary Ian Murray told The Sunday Show there must be a general election to end the Tory Party "soap opera".Meanwhile, Shadow Scottish Secretary Ian Murray told The Sunday Show there must be a general election to end the Tory Party "soap opera".
He said: This isn't a game. People are struggling to pay their energy bills. They are making decisions about heating and eating, but can do neither.He said: This isn't a game. People are struggling to pay their energy bills. They are making decisions about heating and eating, but can do neither.
"The economy has been trashed, pensions have been trashed and yet we're in a situation today where it's like some EastEnders soap opera.""The economy has been trashed, pensions have been trashed and yet we're in a situation today where it's like some EastEnders soap opera."