DOUGLAS Ross reportedly tried to quit as Scottish Tory leader more than a year ago and install an ally in his place.

Ross is said to have invited Kathleen Robertson, the unsuccessful Tory candidate for Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey, to his home last July to cut a deal which would have seen her stand down so he could take a run at the seat.

The Telegraph reports that Ross pledged he would quit as Scottish Tory leader if selected as “his heart was in Westminster, not Holyrood”.

She turned down his offer of a deal, which is said to have involved installing the current favourite to replace him, Russell Findlay (below), in his place.

Findlay’s allies told the paper the West of Scotland MSP was unaware the meeting had taken place and have dismissed claims there is an establishment plot within the party to have him replace Ross.

Ross said that he had requested the meeting at the request of local party members to check Robertson was “committed to standing for the seat”.

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He is facing criticism from within the Scottish Tory ranks amid talk of a stitch up to install Findlay in the top job.

Robertson has confirmed The Telegraph’s version of events and it has been reported that though her selection as the candidate was kept secret until after her children finished their exams it was well-known in local Tory circles.

The paper also reported that Robertson had initially only told a small number of close friends about Ross’s request but started to circulate the story more widely amid the furore about the decision to ditch David Duguid as a candidate.

Ross has faced accusations he was behind a stitch-up to get rid of Duguid (above), who at the time had been hospitalised with a serious spinal injury which left him unable to walk.

The party said he was too sick to contest the election, something he vehemently denied.

The Scottish Tories also denied that Ross was behind the plot to get rid of Duguid, saying the decision to end the former MP’s candidacy had been taken by the party management board – of which both Ross and party chairman Craig Hoy are members.

Ross and Robertson were both defeated in their Westminster bids earlier this year, with the SNP taking both seats.

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A Tory source told The Telegraph: “I think his offer to her indicates that even over a year ago there were plans to install Russell Findlay as Scottish party leader.

“He was telling MSPs at the time it was his intention to leave Westminster and he wanted to be first minister. A few never believed that and I think Douglas should stand down immediately as leader.”

Referring to the decision to replace Duguid, they said: “It’s all connected. I think the conversation shows that Douglas Ross wanted somehow to get a seat. He saw his chance and took it in a fairly brutal fashion.”

A spokesman for Findlay said: “Russell had no knowledge whatsoever of any alleged discussions of this nature.

“He is focused on campaigning positively to build a common-sense Conservative movement based on aspiration and opportunity.”

Ross (above) said: “Several weeks had passed since Kathleen had become the candidate but she had still not publicly announced this, so at the request of some local members I met with Kathleen to see if she was still committed to standing for the seat.

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“She confirmed that she was and I then campaigned with her in the hope that she would win the new constituency.

“Throughout the leadership election, I have said absolutely nothing about the candidates or the contest, other than I will remain as leader until my successor is appointed. My decision to remain neutral throughout the contest will not change.”

A Scottish Conservative spokesman said: “This was a private conversation between Douglas and Kathleen, and not a party matter.”