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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 will address delegates on Saturday. 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'
"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," he said. 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 memoTory 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.