Achi news desk-
The ASA will contest the new Aberdeenshire North and Moray East constituency which takes up around a quarter of its old Moray seat.
Speaking at a hastily arranged press conference in Edinburgh on Thursday morning, Mr Ross said he
“This is one of a number of seats we are defending against the SNP, and one we fully intend to win with the support of local voters.
“Over the last 12 hours, I have thought long and hard about this and considered the options.
“I have spoken to my wife, my family, my colleagues and local members.
“After boundary changes, this new seat includes parts of my former Moray constituency and indeed some of the council ward I was first elected to serve back in 2007.
“This constituency will be very competitive, a very tough contest, and a tough contest between the Scottish Conservatives and the SNP and I have decided that I need to lead from the front.
“So tonight, I will be putting myself forward to be nominated as the Scottish Conservative candidate.”
More to follow…