Tory MSP by chance posted WhatsApps on ally’s ‘terrible’ marketing campaign

A Scottish Conservative MSP has apologised after calling his ally’s management marketing campaign “awful”.

Stephen Kerr has publicly backed celebration veteran Murdo Fraser’s bid, however raised doubts in WhatsApp posts he by chance printed as a standing replace.

“I’m beginning to wish I’d nominated Meghan,” he wrote, in reference to Mr Fraser’s leadership rival and Tory deputy leader, Meghan Gallacher.

Mr Kerr said his comments had been taken out of context and reaffirmed his support for Mr Fraser.

Several messages were accidentally published on Mr Kerr’s WhatsApp profile as a status update, rather than a direct message, and could therefore be viewed by his contacts.

In one, he questioned his favoured candidate’s decision to promote an online meeting with colleague Graham Simpson, the party’s transport spokesman.

He wrote, “really?”, including: “Simpson knows zilch about working with councillors.”

Mr Kerr continued: “I’m beginning to wish I’d nominated Meghan”.

He additionally posted: “Murdo’s campaign is awful.”

Mr Kerr, the celebration’s former schooling spokesperson, mentioned the incident was “regrettable”.

“In a private conversation, in comments taken out of context, I expressed some concerns about one aspect of an upcoming event,” he said in a statement.

“The person with whom I was having the private conversation is a close friend.”

Mr Kerr mentioned he was “certain” Mr Fraser was the “leader we need now”.

The Central Scotland MSP mentioned: “He has the precise instincts to be an impressive Scottish Conservative celebration chief.

“As we have already seen in this leadership campaign, he has the vision, the plan and the passion to rebuild our party.”

He added: “I was delighted to nominate him for the role of party leader.”

A spokesperson for Mr Fraser mentioned: “Stephen has apologised to Murdo for his comments which he says were taken out of context, and is clear that Murdo is the best candidate for leadership.”

As properly as Ms Gallacher, Mr Fraser is being challenged for the management by frontbenchers Russell Findlay, Brian Whittle and Liam Kerr, in addition to backbencher Jamie Greene.

Nominations for the competition shut on 22 August, with the winner to be introduced on 27 September.

Candidates want 100 nominations from celebration members to get on the poll paper.

The new chief will substitute Douglas Ross, who will stay in place till the competition is over.