The National:

IN a solid stroke of luck for those in the Holyrood chamber on Wednesday afternoon, Douglas Ross was absent.

Less luckily, modern technology allowed him to contribute remotely from Westminster.

But in yet another twist of fate, that same technology interrupted the Tory leader.

Speaking from some cupboard the Prime Minister had no doubt found for him, ready to be trotted out in defence of whatever regressive new policy he can think up, Ross was beamed into the Holyrood chamber.

READ MORE: 'At long last grow a backbone' and stand up to Boris Johnson, Douglas Ross told

Loyal to a fault, Ross was busy attacking the Scottish Government’s vaccine passport plans - although he has voiced no such objection to the Tory government’s plans for the same south of the Border.

Taking long issue with an apparent lack of “specifics” in the vaccine certification plans, such as whether the SNP would rule out “extending them indefinitely”, Ross was interrupted by Clare Adamson, in a way.

The SNP MSP’s name could be seen in the top left of the screen as a strange echo effect took hold, creating what the Jouker at first took to be a techno remix of Ross’s latest hit line.

“An absolute shambles, absolute shambles, absolute, absolute shambles, shambles.”

The final words of Ross’s contribution were lost in the noise, which led the Presiding Officer to ask if he should repeat the end of his question.

“Nooooo”, came the chorus from the chamber, as Nicola Sturgeon could be heard to quip: “If he was here, we could hear him.”

Careful what you wish for, First Minister.

Ross did get to repeat himself, although he probably wished he hadn't after Sturgeon went on to shred his contribution to pieces. 

It’s not the first time in recent weeks that Ross has been interrupted by a strange noise, although the last time it had a more surprising source.