DOUGLAS Ross has been spotted on a surprise trip to Tartan Week in New York – after the Scottish Conservatives previously criticised overseas trips by SNP and Greens MSPs.
The Scottish Tories attacked Patrick Harvie for visiting Copenhagen to meet the Danish capital’s chief architect to look at the country’s active travel infrastructure.
It is understood that Ross is visiting midtown Manhattan in an official capacity.
Ross later wrote on Twitter: "I’m out in New York for Tartan Week with the Scottish Affairs Committee.
"Great to be in a very sunny Bryant Park this afternoon enjoying outstanding performances including the St Columba's School, Kilmacolm pipe band."
Scottish Tory chief whip Stephen Kerr and constitution spokesperson Donald Cameron previously attacked then First Minister Nicola Sturgeon for a trip to America – where she gave a speech to the Brookings Institution in Washington DC.
Kerr said that Sturgeon “clearly can’t be bothered to be First Minister any more” and that: “Leaving massive local issues under her remit behind to fly to the US to shake hands and get photos is yet more evidence she takes her role for granted, and sees devolved issues as beneath her.”
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