A visit by Boris Johson to Aberdeen this week has attracted a barrage of criticism from political opponents.
Mr Johnston, who is tipped as one of the likely successors to beleaguered PM, Theresa May, will travel to the Granite City on Friday for a private event, amid suggestions he will carry out campaigning for the upcoming EU elections.
The former Mayor of London was conspicuously absent at the Conservative party conference in Aberdeen last week.
But, after learning the news he is heading to the north east, both pro-EU SNP and Liberal Democrats have launched attacks.
SNP Aberdeen South MSP Maureen Watt said: “Bumbling Boris Johnson was one of the key architects of this Brexit catastrophe the country now finds itself in.
“Despite the people of Aberdeen voting overwhelmingly to remain in the EU, this Tory Brexit has put jobs, businesses and industries in the north east on the line.
“Now the London MP has the audacity to come up seeking to exploit Aberdeen as a launchpad for his latest Tory leadership bid.
“Boris shouldn’t expect a warm welcome – the people of Aberdeen will not be treated like pawns in a Tory civil war.”
Ian Yuill, the Liberal Democrat group leader on Aberdeen City Council, said: “Boris Johnston may appeal to some people in south-east England, but he will find the reception very different here in Remain-voting Aberdeen.
“As far as I’m concerned, every visit Boris Johnston makes to Aberdeen is a bonus.
“Each visit he makes will further reduce support for the shambolic Conservative Party and for Brexit.”
Ross Thomson, Scottish Conservative MP for Aberdeen South, said: “The only party that is damaging the north-east economy right now is the SNP.
“Nicola Sturgeon is breaking a promise to cut air passenger duty – a tax that business bodies say disproportionately hits the north-east.
“SNP MSPs would be better served arguing against this u-turn, rather than worrying about where Boris Johnson will be this weekend.”
