EMBATTLED Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay has suffered a frontbench resignation.
Alexander Burnett, an aristocrat with links to the Russian Tsars who is believed to be Holyrood’s richest MSP, has resigned as the Scottish Conservatives’ chief whip, saying he needed to focus on the upcoming 2026 elections.
Burnett has been replaced by Tim Eagle, who will now hold the dual role of being both chief whip and the Scottish Tories’ rural affairs spokesperson.
Eagle only entered the Scottish Parliament in February 2024 after Donald Cameron – another aristocrat – resigned his place to take up a life peerage and a junior ministerial role in Rishi Sunak’s UK government.
Scottish Tory leader Findlay, who became an MSP in the 2021 elections, said he was “thrilled” to appoint Eagle chief whip, adding: “Tim has spent even less time at Holyrood than I have but that’s to his benefit.”
He went on: “I want to thank Alex for his work as chief whip, a role which I fully appreciate can be very time-consuming, especially in an election year.” Burnett, in a show of solidarity with his beleaguered leader, said: “After considering it over the summer, I have decided to step aside as chief whip in order to focus all my efforts on being re-elected in Aberdeenshire West, where I will once again be competing head-to-head with the SNP in a tight race.
“I have greatly enjoyed the role of whip and working alongside Russell. However, in a Scottish Parliament election year, it is a full-time role and requires a considerable time commitment in Edinburgh, away from Aberdeenshire.
“I have always put the interests of the people of Aberdeenshire West first in all my decisions and I have decided to do so again now.
“I will continue to be a strong supporter of Russell’s leadership and I’m confident his positive Conservative vision will help me to defeat the SNP in Aberdeenshire for the third successive time.”
Findlay has lost three MSPs from his group in 2025. Jamie Greene defected to the LibDems, Jeremy Balfour quit the Tories to become an independent, and Graham Simpson jumped ship to Reform UK.
The Conservatives have also lost a series of councillors to Reform UK, including five in Aberdeenshire.
