During his career in politics Douglas Ross has never been far from the spotlight – and controversy.
His appearances as a linesman in some of Scotland and Europe’s most high-profile football matches have won him notoriety with opposition parties.
However, before even joining national politics as a Highlands and Islands MSP in 2016 the 37-year-old was known for taking a stand that did not always align himself with the views of leaders.
During a 10-year spell as a Fochabers Lhanbryde councillor at Moray Council, the former Forres Academy pupil joined the administration after being elected in 2007.
However, he resigned from the ruling group two years later citing disagreements with colleagues and expressing a desire to speak freely on matters.
After being elected again in 2012 he re-joined the new administration.
Within two years, though, he had been sacked as planning committee chairman after opposing primary school closures at the time.
Coincidentally, the e-mail removing him from the position was delivered the same day as he made his continental debut as a football official in a Europa League clash in Seville.
During the same period he also formed an unlikely alliance with SNP councillors to defeat plans for a Western Link Road in Elgin – a project that had been supported by Conservative colleagues in the chambers.
It took Mr Ross three attempts to win election as Moray MP after losing to incumbent Angus Robertson in 2010 and 2015 having also stood unsuccessfully for the equivalent Holyrood seat in 2011 and 2016.
However, he joined the Scottish Parliament as a Highlands and Islands MSP following the second defeat and was named the Scottish Conservatives’ shadow justice secretary.
When the Conservative finally toppled the then SNP Westminster leader in 2017 it proved to be one of the biggest election shocks of the night in Scotland.
He immediately resigned from his position in the Scottish Parliament to take up the seat in London.
Controversies followed surrounding comments made about wanting to see “tougher enforcement” against gypsy travellers and missed debates due to football matches before he committed to stepping back from sporting appointments while the House of Commons was sitting – a move that cost him an expected place at the World Cup in 2018.
He defeated predictions of a SNP wipeout of seats in Scotland at last year’s General Election to hold onto his seat and within days had been appointed as a Scotland Office minister.
