Former Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross has become the convener of the Scottish Parliament’s Education, Children and Young People Committee.
He replaces fellow Tory Sue Webber, an MSP for the Lothian region, who held the role for around two and a half years.
The news emerged at the outset of a committee meeting this morning, as it came together for the first time since the recent parliamentary break.
Meanwhile, new Tory education spokesperson Miles Briggs has replaced his predecessor, Liam Kerr, on the committee.
The committee’s vice-convener is Stirling SNP MSP Evelyn Tweed.
Mr Ross has had a turbulent year. On 6 June, weeks before the 2024 UK general election, there was controversy over the surprise announcement of his candidacy in Aberdeenshire North and Moray East.
Four days later, he announced that he would resign as leader of the Scottish Conservatives following the 2024 general election and also as an MSP if he was re-elected as MP. However, he did not win the seat in the 4 July election.
Mr Ross remains an MSP but was replaced as Scottish Conservative leader in September by Russell Findlay. Mr Findlay did not appoint Mr Ross to a frontbench role in his shadow cabinet.
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