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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/global/2017/oct/27/tory-mp-douglas-ross-gives-up-work-as-referee-when-commons-sits-after-missing-debate
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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Tory MP gives up referee work when Commons sits after missing debate | Tory MP gives up referee work when Commons sits after missing debate |
| (about 1 month later) | |
| A Scottish Conservative MP has said he will no longer referee football matches while parliament is sitting. | A Scottish Conservative MP has said he will no longer referee football matches while parliament is sitting. |
| Douglas Ross faced criticism for missing a Commons vote on universal credit to help officiate at a Champions League match. | Douglas Ross faced criticism for missing a Commons vote on universal credit to help officiate at a Champions League match. |
| Ross, the MP for Moray, said his decision meant he would no longer be able to referee at the majority of international matches, adding that his dream of officiating at next year’s World Cup was now over. | Ross, the MP for Moray, said his decision meant he would no longer be able to referee at the majority of international matches, adding that his dream of officiating at next year’s World Cup was now over. |
| He defended his decision to miss the debate earlier this month. He said had known he he would not be able to speak in it and arrangements had been put in place to ensure his absence would not affect any vote, but that the criticism he received had made him reflect. | He defended his decision to miss the debate earlier this month. He said had known he he would not be able to speak in it and arrangements had been put in place to ensure his absence would not affect any vote, but that the criticism he received had made him reflect. |
| He said his role as an MP was his first priority, and that he realised he could no longer do both jobs. | He said his role as an MP was his first priority, and that he realised he could no longer do both jobs. |
| In a statement to local press in his constituency, Ross said: “I’m greatly indebted to the many local people who expressed their support for me to continue to referee as well as be their MP. | In a statement to local press in his constituency, Ross said: “I’m greatly indebted to the many local people who expressed their support for me to continue to referee as well as be their MP. |
| “And while I have one of the highest voting records of any MP, and many of my political opponents and fiercest critics of late have several outside jobs and interests, I know that the fury my last match caused will be repeated any time I am appointed to a match when parliament is sitting in the future.” | “And while I have one of the highest voting records of any MP, and many of my political opponents and fiercest critics of late have several outside jobs and interests, I know that the fury my last match caused will be repeated any time I am appointed to a match when parliament is sitting in the future.” |
| Ross had missed the universal credit debate to work as an assistant referee at the Barcelona v Olympiakos game in Spain on 18 October. | Ross had missed the universal credit debate to work as an assistant referee at the Barcelona v Olympiakos game in Spain on 18 October. |
| Theresa May was forced to defend him when the SNP MP John McNally brandished a red card during prime minister’s questions, saying members of the public were “expected to turn up to their day jobs or face sanctions”. | Theresa May was forced to defend him when the SNP MP John McNally brandished a red card during prime minister’s questions, saying members of the public were “expected to turn up to their day jobs or face sanctions”. |
| Ross was elected to Westminster in June, ousting the SNP’s deputy leader Angus Robertson. He previously served as an MSP at Holyrood. | Ross was elected to Westminster in June, ousting the SNP’s deputy leader Angus Robertson. He previously served as an MSP at Holyrood. |
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