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Ross Thomson
Ross Thomson
Ross Thomson
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Ross Thomson (born 21 September 1987) is a former Scottish Conservative Party politician who was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Aberdeen South from 2017 to 2019. Thomson was the first Conservative MP elected for Aberdeen South since the 1992 general election, 25 years earlier.[1] He was a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for the North East Scotland region from May 2016 until June 2017.[2] He was elected to Aberdeen City Council in the 2012 local elections.[3][4]

Key Information

He defected to Reform UK in 2025.

Early life

[edit]

Thomson was born in Aberdeen and educated locally at Bridge of Don Academy.[5] He studied Politics and International Relations at the University of Aberdeen, graduating with a first class MA (Hons) degree in 2009.[6]

Prior to entering politics, Thomson worked as a store trainer for department store Debenhams.[7]

Political career

[edit]

He stood for the Scottish Parliament at the 2007 elections for the Coatbridge and Chryston constituency, coming third behind Labour MSP Elaine Smith and the Scottish National Party candidate.[8] He was also third in Aberdeen Donside in 2011.

At the United Kingdom general election in 2010, Thomson was selected as the Conservative Party candidate for the Scottish constituency of Gordon, and finished in fourth place, receiving 9,111 votes. He was the youngest Conservative Party candidate for the House of Commons.[9][better source needed] He was elected to the Aberdeen City Council at the 2012 election.[4]

Thomson contested the Aberdeen Donside by-election in 2013, finishing in fourth place. He stood as the Conservatives' candidate in Aberdeen South during the 2015 general election, but was unsuccessful, and subsequently stood in the Aberdeen South and North Kincardine constituency at the 2016 Scottish Parliament election. Although the Scottish National Party's Maureen Watt retained the latter seat,[10] Thomson was elected through the Additional Member System as one of the seven representatives of the North East Scotland region.[11]

During his time as a Member of the Scottish Parliament, Thomson was the Scottish Conservative spokesperson for Further Education, Higher Education and Science,[12] and sat on the Education and Skills Committee.[13] Thomson also became a spokesman for Vote Leave in Scotland during the 2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum as one of the few members of the Scottish Parliament supporting a leave vote.[14][15]

On 5 October 2016, Thomson repaid expenses relating to a night's stay in an Edinburgh hotel with a male friend, Braden Davy, whom he subsequently hired over the objections of the Tory chief whip.[16]

On 8 June 2017, Thomson became the Member of Parliament for Aberdeen South, defeating incumbent Callum McCaig, with 18,746 votes, a 19.3% swing and a majority of 4,752.[17] He stood down from his seat as an MSP after being elected as a Westminster MP.[18] after entering the UK Parliament, Thomson became known as a "hardline" supporter of Brexit.[19]

In April 2018, Thomson was criticised for posts made on his private social media account whilst visiting Baghdad. Thomson was accused of trivialising the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein when he posed for photos at Hussein's military parade ground. A Scottish Conservative spokesman said: "Ross has already made clear he did not intend to cause any offence and apologises to anyone who has been upset."[20]

He supported Boris Johnson in the 2019 Conservative leadership election and became his campaign manager in Scotland.[21] After the 2022 vote of confidence in the Conservative Party leadership of Boris Johnson Thomson, no longer an MP, described Johnson as "wounded" and called on him to "build bridges" with the Scottish party.[22]

Post-parliamentary career

[edit]

After stepping down as an MP, Thomson has worked as a public affairs and campaign manager for the Earl Haig Fund Scotland (also known as Poppyscotland).[23] It was revealed in April 2025 that he was working for one of Donald Trump's firms, Trump International resort in Balmedie, Aberdeenshire.[24]

In June 2025 he announced he had defected to Reform UK, saying "only Reform have the courage and answers to the issues facing Scotland and the United Kingdom".[25]

Personal life

[edit]

Thomson entered into a civil partnership with his partner in November 2013, which lasted until 2018.[26]

On 29 November 2018, Callum Purdie was convicted at Aberdeen Sheriff Court of causing a disturbance at the constituency office of Thomson.[27] The following month, Purdie, who was not one of Thomson's constituents, was ordered to stay away from Thomson's office and his staff for two years.[28]

Sexual misconduct allegations

[edit]

On 6 February 2019, various newspapers reported that Thomson had been escorted by police from the Strangers' Bar of the House of Commons the previous evening. Initial reports indicated that police had attended following reports of sexual assault of patrons by the MP. Eyewitnesses claimed that Thomson had repeatedly groped several young men also present in the bar, grabbing their bottoms and genitals. A Conservative Party investigation is yet to conclude, but the Parliamentary Commissioner on Standards dismissed the complaint.[29][30][31][32] Thomson denied any wrongdoing, citing the allegations as politically motivated.[33]

On 3 November 2019 MP Paul Sweeney accused Thomson of sexual assault in the Strangers' Bar in October 2018.[34] The same day Thomson announced that he would not stand for re-election as the Member of Parliament for Aberdeen South, denying the allegation and stating that it had made his life 'a living hell'.[35] It later emerged that the chairman of Thomson's local Conservative Association had refused to sign the nomination papers to allow him to stand as a Conservative candidate in the December 2019 general election.[36]

In October 2020, the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards "concluded that Thomson's behaviour was not sexual in nature and cleared him of any breach of parliament's misconduct policy".[37]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Ross Thomson

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from Grokipedia
Ross Thomson is a Scottish politician who served as the Conservative for South from 2017 until standing down at the . Previously, he represented the as a for the North East region from 2016 to 2017. In June 2025, Thomson defected to , citing dissatisfaction with the Conservative Party's direction. Thomson entered politics as an Aberdeen City Councillor for the Hazlehead, Ashley and Queen's Cross ward in 2012, following roles in retail and finance. During his time in Westminster, he supported Boris Johnson's leadership campaign in Scotland and advocated for the North Sea oil and gas industry, arguing for its economic importance amid opposition from other parties. His parliamentary tenure ended amid allegations of sexual misconduct in a House of Commons bar, including claims by Labour MSP Paul Sweeney, which Thomson denied; he was cleared by the Independent Complaints Arbitrator in 2020 and the Independent Expert Panel in 2021, subsequently threatening legal action against his accuser. After leaving elected office, Thomson worked in public affairs consultancy, national charities, and corporate communications, including a role in corporate sales at in 2025. His political positions have emphasized unionism, energy sector support, and criticism of policies on and economic development.

Early life and education

Upbringing and family background

Ross Thomson was born in 1987 in , , where he was raised. He attended Balmedie in the city before progressing to Bridge of Don Academy, a local , graduating in 2009.

Academic and early professional experiences

Thomson was educated in , attending followed by . He subsequently enrolled at the to study Politics and , earning a first-class MA (Hons) degree upon graduation in 2009. After completing his studies, Thomson held positions in the retail and finance sectors until 2012.

Political career

Initial involvement and Scottish Parliament service (2011–2017)

Thomson first became involved in Scottish politics as the Conservative candidate for the Aberdeen Donside constituency in the , where he received 2,166 votes. In 2012, he was elected as a for the Hazlehead, Ashley and Queens Cross ward on , representing the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party after working previously in retail and . As a , Thomson focused on local issues in , including serving as the first chairman of the Aberdeen City Conservative and Unionist Association established in 2013. In May 2013, Thomson was selected as the Conservative candidate for the Aberdeen Donside by-election following the death of Labour MSP Bob Stephen, though he placed third in the contest. He continued his council service, contributing to opposition scrutiny of the SNP-led administration in amid debates over city governance and economic challenges in the oil-dependent region. By July 2015, Thomson had been selected as the Conservative prospective candidate for the South and North Kincardine constituency in the upcoming , building on his local profile to contest a competitive seat against the SNP incumbent. Although the Conservatives did not win the constituency, Thomson was elected as a list (MSP) for the North East Scotland region on 5 May 2016, entering Holyrood as part of the party's increased representation amid a surge in support. During his brief tenure from 12 May 2016 to 12 June 2017, Thomson served on the Public Audit and Post-legislative Scrutiny Committee and the Education and Skills Committee, scrutinizing , legislative implementation, and policy areas such as schooling and skills training. He also acted as Deputy Party Spokesperson for Higher Education and for , advocating Conservative positions on university funding, research investment, and opposition to SNP education reforms perceived as underperforming. Thomson resigned his MSP seat upon his election to the UK Parliament in June 2017, replaced by Tom Mason on the regional list.

UK Parliament tenure as MP for Aberdeen South (2017–2019)

Ross Thomson was elected as the Member of Parliament for Aberdeen South in the 2017 United Kingdom general election held on 8 June 2017, securing a Conservative gain from the Scottish National Party (SNP) incumbent Callum McCaig. He received 18,746 votes, representing 42.1% of the vote share, with a majority of 4,752 votes over McCaig's 14,017 votes (31.5%). The election saw a turnout of 68.5% from an electorate of 64,964. During his tenure from 8 June 2017 to 6 November 2019, Thomson served as a backbench Conservative MP and was a member of the Scottish Affairs Select Committee. He participated in 438 divisions in the , voting against the party majority on 10 occasions. Thomson focused on issues relevant to his constituency, particularly the and gas sector. In September 2018, he urged an end to "scaremongering" regarding 's potential impact on the industry following a report by Oil & Gas UK warning of skills shortages. He highlighted government investments, such as the Oil & Gas Technology Centre in , as supporting the sector's transition. On , Thomson criticised aspects of Theresa May's proposed deal, arguing in July 2018 that it failed to honor commitments, particularly on , and participated in debates opposing the as a threat to unity. In July 2018, Thomson introduced the Pets (Theft) Bill as a Ten Minute Rule Bill, aiming to classify pet theft as a specific offense to address rising incidents of animal theft. He also contributed to parliamentary discussions on the economy and European affairs, emphasizing domestic priorities post-Brexit. Thomson's tenure ended with his defeat in the 2019 general election on 12 December 2019, where SNP candidate Stephen Flynn won the seat with a majority of 3,987 votes.

Policy positions, achievements, and parliamentary contributions

Thomson advocated for a decisive implementation of , arguing in July 2018 that Theresa May's Chequers agreement undermined the 2016 referendum outcome by retaining too many regulatory alignments. He maintained consistency in supporting withdrawal without a , warning in October 2018 that softer deals would erode democratic and economic prospects. As a Scottish Conservative, Thomson opposed independence referendums, framing SNP pushes for indyref2 as divisive distractions from economic priorities like and energy sector stability in . In the UK , Thomson's key legislative achievement was sponsoring the Pets (Theft) Bill (2017–2019), which sought to establish pet theft as a distinct offense under the , imposing harsher penalties to address the estimated 20,000 annual cases in and recognize pets' sentimental value beyond mere property. The bill received second reading but lapsed with the 2019 election; its provisions influenced subsequent government reforms. He also contributed to scrutiny of the Loan Charge legislation in April 2019, defending retrospective taxation on disguised remuneration schemes as necessary to recover £3.5 billion in unpaid taxes while urging safeguards against unfair enforcement. Thomson's parliamentary record included 438 divisions, aligning with the Conservative in over 97% of votes, though he rebelled 10 times, primarily on EU withdrawal amendments and Northern Ireland executive formation to prioritize no-deal preparations. In Scottish Parliament (2016–2017), he critiqued SNP governance on education attainment gaps and NHS waiting times, tabling questions on regional funding disparities in the North East. His interventions emphasized fiscal responsibility, with calls for devolved powers to focus on skills training amid Aberdeen's post-oil downturn, contributing to Conservative opposition scrutiny during the 2016–2017 session.

Media incidents and political controversies

In February 2019, Thomson was accused of groping several men in a House of Commons bar while appearing heavily intoxicated, leading to police intervention where he was escorted from the premises but not arrested or charged. Witnesses described him as slurring his words and barely able to stand, with some claiming he grabbed at others' clothing to steady himself rather than for sexual purposes, though initial reports emphasized allegations of sexual touching. Thomson denied any inappropriate behavior, attributing media coverage to political motivations amid broader scrutiny of parliamentary drinking culture. The incident escalated in March 2019 when Labour MSP lodged a formal complaint alleging that Thomson had attempted to fondle his genitals and force his hand down his trousers during a January 2018 encounter in the same bar, describing Thomson as "drunk to the point where he was barely able to stand up." Thomson rejected the claims as "completely false" and politically timed, threatening legal action against Sweeney. In November 2019, amid the ongoing probe, Thomson announced he would not seek re-election as MP for Aberdeen South in the December general election, citing a desire to focus on other opportunities despite denying wrongdoing. An Independent Expert Panel, established under parliamentary rules for sexual misconduct complaints, reviewed the case in 2020–2021 and ruled in February 2021 that Thomson had not breached Parliament's policies on , , or , overturning an initial commissioner's finding and dismissing Sweeney's appeal. The panel noted inconsistencies in witness accounts supporting sexual intent and emphasized that Thomson's intoxication did not constitute a policy violation absent proven misconduct. Separately, in December 2018, Thomson faced media ridicule after being pranked by a crew posing as developers of a fictitious app claiming to support children with drug addictions through technology; he promoted it on before discovering the , which critics labeled as gullible but defenders called an "underhanded" targeting his anti-drug stance. No formal repercussions followed, though it drew local press attention to his judgment.

Post-parliamentary career

Professional engagements and business roles

Following his departure from the UK Parliament in November 2019, Thomson took on roles in public affairs and charity sectors. He served as public affairs and campaigns manager for the Earl Haig Fund , operating as Poppyscotland, a veterans' support charity, where he contributed to efforts including the 2021 Poppy Appeal launch and policy manifestos on veterans' issues. From January 2023 to January 2025, Thomson acted as Director for the Centre for the Union, a advocating for the preservation of the , focusing on policy development in Scottish affairs. In September 2023, he joined Cairns Counselling, an Aberdeen-based charity providing accessible counseling services, as Communications and Community Fundraising Officer, supporting outreach and funding initiatives for voluntary-donation-based therapy. Since February 2025, Thomson has worked in corporate sales at Trump International Scotland, the luxury golf resort in Balmedie, , handling business development for the property owned by .

Shift to Reform UK and recent political affiliations

In June 2025, Ross Thomson, formerly a Conservative MP, defected to , stating that the party possessed "the courage and answers to the issues facing the country." This move marked a significant shift from his prior affiliation with the Conservatives, whom he had represented until that point, and aligned him with 's platform emphasizing anti-immigration policies and patriotic governance. Thomson described the decision as personal and long-considered, positioning as the sole party capable of addressing national challenges effectively. Thomson's defection contributed to a broader pattern of Conservative figures in North East Scotland switching to , making him the eighth such to do so in the region by mid-2025. Following his announcement, he appeared in promotional materials, including interactions with party figures like chair David Bull, underscoring his endorsement of the party's direction under . By September 2025, Thomson had engaged actively with events, attending the party's conference where he highlighted the "unmatched energy and enthusiasm" among participants, whom he characterized as a "family of patriots determined to save our country." His activity, including support for Scotland's policies on jobs and common-sense governance, reflected ongoing involvement in promoting the party's agenda ahead of potential 2026 Holyrood elections. As of October 2025, Thomson's primary political affiliation remained with , with no reported shifts or additional party involvements.

Personal life

Relationships and private interests

Thomson is openly homosexual. He entered a civil partnership with Douglas Mathewson in 2013, which ended prior to 2019. No public information exists regarding subsequent long-term relationships or family. Thomson has expressed personal interests including a fondness for and advocacy for allowing dogs in workplaces.

Public persona and affiliations

Ross Thomson presents a public persona as a vocal unionist and proponent of conservative principles, frequently critiquing movements and emphasizing fiscal responsibility. His advocacy extends to international figures, notably expressing support for , which led to his role in corporate sales at Trump International Scotland in Balmedie, , following his parliamentary tenure. This alignment underscores his affinity for populist and rhetoric within right-leaning politics. Politically, Thomson's affiliations have evolved from deep roots in the Scottish Conservative Party—where he served as the inaugural chairman of the Aberdeen City Conservative and Unionist Association in 2013—to , which he joined on June 24, 2025. In announcing the switch, he praised for demonstrating "courage and answers" on pressing issues like and , positioning himself as aligned with Nigel Farage's platform amid dissatisfaction with mainstream . Thomson's public image has been influenced by high-profile incidents, including a February 2019 accusation by Labour MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle of groping male staffers in a House of Commons bar while intoxicated, resulting in police escort but no charges. A subsequent investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards in October 2020 dismissed the claims, finding insufficient corroborative evidence despite witness testimonies. His ex-husband publicly questioned Thomson's accountability around the time, alleging prior unreported concerns, though these did not alter the official clearance. Additionally, a March 2019 meeting with representatives of the Spanish political party Vox drew internal Conservative criticism for perceived poor judgment, though no formal repercussions ensued. These events, reported extensively in outlets with varying editorial slants, have portrayed him as a polarizing figure prone to tabloid scrutiny, yet resilient in maintaining his political engagements.

References

  1. https://www.parliament.uk/biographies/commons/ross-thomson/4599
  2. https://www.parliament.scot/msps/current-and-previous-msps/ross-thomson
  3. https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/25264662.former-tory-mp-ross-thomson-joins-reform/
  4. https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/17413582.ross-thomson-mp/
  5. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/10/06/tory-mps-defected-reform-uk/
  6. https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/comment/three-quarters-scots-back-north-32466452
  7. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/feb/23/ex-tory-mp-ross-thomson-cleared-sexual-harassment
  8. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-56461794
  9. https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/politics/scottish-politics/2985883/ross-thomson/
  10. https://uk.linkedin.com/in/rossthomson-abz
  11. https://www.thenational.scot/news/25067622.former-scottish-tory-mp-takes-job-donald-trump-golf-resort/
  12. https://www.aberdeenlive.news/news/aberdeen-news/former-aberdeen-tory-mp-ross-10293501
  13. https://samurai.scot/wall-of-fame/ross-thomson/
  14. https://www.holyrood.com/inside-politics/view%2Cprofiles-of-the-new-scottish-mps_13625.htm
  15. https://politicalemails.org/organizations/1726
  16. https://www.parliament.scot/msps/elections/2011-election-results
  17. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-22479115
  18. https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/politics/scottish-politics/628194/aberdeen-councillor-eyes-holyrood-seat/
  19. https://electionresults.parliament.uk/elections/654
  20. https://ig.ft.com/election-results-2017/constituencies
  21. https://www.publicwhip.org.uk/mp.php?mpn=Ross_Thomson&mpc=Aberdeen_South&house=commons&parliament=2017&display=summary
  22. https://www.parallelparliament.co.uk/mp/ross-thomson
  23. https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/aberdeen-aberdeenshire/1560598/aberdeen-mp-urges-end-to-scaremongering-over-brexit-after-north-sea-warning/
  24. https://parallelparliament.co.uk/mp/ross-thomson/debate/2018-03-14/commons/commons-chamber/european-affairs
  25. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-44859309
  26. https://www.parallelparliament.co.uk/bills/session/2017-19/ten-minute
  27. https://members.parliament.uk/constituency/20/election/377
  28. https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/ross-thomson-mp-bad-brexit-will-damage-the-uks-future-as-a-democracy-565402
  29. https://www.thenational.scot/news/17892792.ross-thomson-surprised-learn-snp-will-fight-independence/
  30. https://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2019-04-04a.1286.4&p=11199
  31. https://www.parallelparliament.co.uk/mp/ross-thomson/debate/2019-07-11/commons/commons-chamber/20-years-of-devolution
  32. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-47157373
  33. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/feb/06/tory-mp-ross-thomson-accused-of-groping-men-in-commons-bar
  34. https://theweek.com/99447/drunk-tory-mp-grabbed-men-s-bottoms-to-avoid-falling
  35. https://www.holyrood.com/news/view%2Cross-thomson-denies-allegations-of-inappropriate-behaviour_9862.htm
  36. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-50280977
  37. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/nov/03/tory-mp-ross-thomson-quit-after-denying-sexual-assault-claim
  38. https://www.parliament.uk/business/news/2021/february/-the-newly-established-independent-expert-panel-publishes-its-first-case/
  39. https://www.parliament.uk/globalassets/mps-lords--offices/standards-and-financial-interests/independent-expert-panel/hc-1235---the-conduct-of-mr-ross-thomson.pdf
  40. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-56153924
  41. https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/aberdeen-aberdeenshire/1624720/aberdeen-mp-ross-thomson-tricked-by-underhanded-yet-blindingly-obvious-tv-prank/
  42. https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/former-scots-tory-mp-who-35443114
  43. https://www.poppyscotland.org.uk/docs/default-source/poppyscotland-documents/summer-202156553a6c-f003-4ca6-8b15-c60a5357bb15.pdf?sfvrsn=2fe8a09d_3
  44. https://cairnscounselling.org.uk/about-us/
  45. https://uk.news.yahoo.com/former-scottish-conservatives-mp-lands-095221250.html
  46. https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/politics/scottish-politics/6788108/ross-thomson-reform-conservative/
  47. https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/2072979/reform-defection-ex-Tory-mp
  48. https://x.com/RossThomson_Abz/status/1964603562434187278
  49. https://x.com/RossThomson_Abz
  50. https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/politics/3851181/ross-thomson-grope-aberdeen-westminster-commons-douglas-mathewson/
  51. https://www.thenational.scot/news/17415914.tory-mps-ex-husband-claims-alleged-groping-incident-good-insight-marital-split/
  52. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQTT8gGG8S8
  53. https://www.thenational.scot/news/25265323.former-scottish-tory-mp-joins-reform-uk/
  54. https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/former-scots-tory-mp-ross-35446674
  55. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/oct/29/commons-dismisses-sexual-assualt-claims-against-ex-tory-mp-ross-thomson
  56. https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/17535255.ross-thomson-accused-shocking-misjudgment-meeting-far-right-party/
  57. https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/17413610.aberdeen-mp-ross-thomson-no-stranger-controversy/
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