A Scottish Tory MP will miss a crunch Westminster debate on welfare cuts today – to run the line at a football match.
Douglas Ross will swap the House of Commons for the Nou Camp to serve as an assistant referee in the Champions League showdown between Barcelona and Olympiakos.
It means the former MSP, who represents Moray, will miss a full-day debate on universal credit.
Tory ministers are braced for a Commons rebellion over the controversial reforms, with up to 25 Tory MPs said to be ready to back a Labour proposal to pause the rollout of the benefit.
The SNP last night slammed Ross, who received £1436.35 from UEFA for serving as an assistant referee in a Europa League play-off game in August.
Banffshire and Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson said: “Part-time Tory MP Douglas Ross is yet again leaving his constituents without a voice in Parliament because he’d rather rub shoulders with famous footballers.”
Ross’s second career had been a point of controversy prior to June’s election, when he beat SNP deputy leader Angus Robertson.
A Tory spokesman said: “Despite what the SNP think, the people of Moray are right behind Douglas and his refereeing, as they showed decisively when they elected him as their MP.”
