The National:

THE Scottish Tory leader stopped his livestream last night after revealing his computer needed to restart.

Douglas Ross hosted a live Q&A on Facebook which was advertised widely in advance, leading large numbers of pro-independence users to put their questions to the MP.

The Moray MP struggled to find questions from Union supporters, as he was challenged over his support for Brexit, voting record and decision not to stand in a constituency seat at next year’s Holyrood election.

He was also pressed on anti-independence talking points used frequently by his party and the UK Government’ handling of the coronavirus pandemic, as well as controversial PPE contracts handed out earlier this year.

READ MORE: Philippa Whitford: Definitely a policy of aggression to SNP from UK Tories

Viewers were frustrated as during the 50-minute long stream Ross opted for questions allowing him to criticise the SNP, with one commenting: “I have asked a few reasonable polite questions. No answer. I don’t think this was good use of my time.”

“Why are you skipping 99% of the questions?” another questioned.

Towards the end Ross announced: “Okay I’ve got a restart on my computer happening soon so I’ll start to draw this to a close. I thought we’d go to 8pm, I’m sure people will then criticise me for not doing enough and not answering enough questions, you should have stayed on until midnight – it’s my questions!

“But if we say we’ll go to about 8 o clock with a promise to do this again which I’m sure many people will say I ridiculous because I’ve been so terrible tonight already.

“But come back if you want to abuse me more in the chat or put your questions to me, we’ll do this again, I’ve enjoyed it. I’m sure many of you have not based on what you’re saying.”

Minutes later Ross was again struggling to find questions, and read out: “Certainly coming in at a fair rate. So people have got plenty of things to say.

“So, Michael Bremner: ‘Very convenient that your computer needs to restart, ya muppet.’

“Well, there’s not much I can do about it Michael! You know. Computers need restarted. I do have 57 minutes exactly until the restart happens but I thought the fact that I’ve now been speaking to you for 42 minutes – roughly three quarters of an hour – is a decent innings tonight for the first time, as I said I’ll come back.”

The latest opinion polls put support for the Tories at about 20% ahead of the Holyrood election, with SNP backing as high as 56%.

The Scottish Tories have seen little change to their polling figures since Ross became leader, taking over from Jackson Carlaw back in August.