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Mundell backtracks over comments | Mundell backtracks over comments |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Tory MP David Mundell has paid tribute to Annabel Goldie, who he had earlier criticised in a leaked memo. | Tory MP David Mundell has paid tribute to Annabel Goldie, who he had earlier criticised in a leaked memo. |
In his first comments since details from the memo were published, he said he had "every confidence" in her. | In his first comments since details from the memo were published, he said he had "every confidence" in her. |
Mr Mundell, shadow Scottish secretary and his party's sole Scottish MP, told BBC Scotland the row over the memo was a "distraction from the main event." | Mr Mundell, shadow Scottish secretary and his party's sole Scottish MP, told BBC Scotland the row over the memo was a "distraction from the main event." |
He was referring to the party's Scottish conference which is currently under way in Perth. | He was referring to the party's Scottish conference which is currently under way in Perth. |
Mr Mundell did not appear on the opening session of the event but he was given a warm reception when he addressed delegates on Saturday. | |
'Robust exchanges' | 'Robust exchanges' |
Earlier, he said: "What I don't do is comment on internal party documentation - that's highly inappropriate, and I'm not going to say anything about that. | |
"What I will say is I have every confidence in Annabel to lead the party into the Scottish elections. | "What I will say is I have every confidence in Annabel to lead the party into the Scottish elections. |
"I think she has shown in the Scottish Parliament that she is more than up for the job, and I'm quite confident she is going to bring back increased numbers [of MSPs] after the election in May." | "I think she has shown in the Scottish Parliament that she is more than up for the job, and I'm quite confident she is going to bring back increased numbers [of MSPs] after the election in May." |
He added: "Annabel and I always communicate. They are very robust, very frank and very friendly conversations and we are going to continue to do that." | He added: "Annabel and I always communicate. They are very robust, very frank and very friendly conversations and we are going to continue to do that." |
The contents of the leaked memo - which lamented the "simple lack of thinkers" among Tory MSPs, criticised Annabel Goldie's leadership and called for the replacement of Scottish party chairman Peter Duncan, infuriated many Tories. | The contents of the leaked memo - which lamented the "simple lack of thinkers" among Tory MSPs, criticised Annabel Goldie's leadership and called for the replacement of Scottish party chairman Peter Duncan, infuriated many Tories. |
Tory MSPs came under fire in the leaked memo | Tory MSPs came under fire in the leaked memo |
Mr Mundell said: "I always take comments from colleagues in good heart. You've got to have robust exchanges, that's fair enough. | Mr Mundell said: "I always take comments from colleagues in good heart. You've got to have robust exchanges, that's fair enough. |
"But this isn't about personalities, it's actually about Conservatives focusing on the electorate, putting forward our case." | "But this isn't about personalities, it's actually about Conservatives focusing on the electorate, putting forward our case." |
He added: "I regret the fact that we have got a distraction at the beginning of our Scottish party conference when we want to focus on what we are doing for the Scottish Parliament elections." | He added: "I regret the fact that we have got a distraction at the beginning of our Scottish party conference when we want to focus on what we are doing for the Scottish Parliament elections." |
Conservative party leader David Cameron had earlier commented on the row in his opening address at the conference. | Conservative party leader David Cameron had earlier commented on the row in his opening address at the conference. |
He said that people offered him all sorts of advice about the Scottish party but added that sometimes it was better if they kept it to themselves. | He said that people offered him all sorts of advice about the Scottish party but added that sometimes it was better if they kept it to themselves. |
He also used his conference speech to praise Ms Goldie and her policies. | He also used his conference speech to praise Ms Goldie and her policies. |
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