Douglas Ross has struggled to name any positive attributes held by Boris Johnson as the Conservatives continue to be rocked by the Christmas party scandal.
The Scottish Tory leader today admitted he was "angry" as evidence piles up to show the extent of socialising that took place among UK Government staff at a time indoor mixing was banned.
It comes as the Prime Minister was today revealed to have hosted a Zoom quiz for Downing Street staff at a festive event on December 15 last year - three days before the now notorious party that is under investigation by Whitehall bosses.
London was then under Tier 2 regulations banning any social mixing between households – which Johnson appeared to have breached by mixing with the aides.
The revelations seriously undermine Downing Street’s claims last week that no parties had taken place in No 10 during last year's festive season.
Ross struggled when he was today asked to list the positive qualities of the Prime Minister as the scandal deepened.
Last week the Tory MSP insisted Johnson should resign if he was shown to have misled parliament about another Number 10 party on December 18.
In an interview with BBC Scotland, Ross was asked to list the attributes of Johnson.
He replied: “Well, he is the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.”
Told that wasn’t an attribute, Ross continued: “I’m saying that along with saying that he needs to answer very serious questions. Not just about what’s in the papers today.”
Asked again to list Johnson’s attributes, Ross added: "He’s the leader of the main party in the United Kingdom parliament and he is the Prime Minister who has been elected to lead the country.
“But that does not mean he or his officials are allowed to do whatever they want without any scrutiny - and that scrutiny will come from all sides, including myself here in Scotland.”
Asked why he was unable to list any of Johnson’s qualities, Ross said: “You’re asking me about what he’s doing as Prime Minister, and I’m saying he’s leading the country at the moment.
“He obviously has good enough qualities to have an 80-seat majority - but that 80-seat does not allow you to do whatever you want with your officials in Number 10.”
Asked if he was angry at Johnson, Ross claimed: “I’m angry with everyone. Just look at these pictures.
"Look at people laughing about parties in Downing Street and how they would cover it up.
"The whole thing does make me angry, and it makes me angry because I know the people I represent in Moray and across the Highlands and Islands followed that guidance to the letter of the law because they were told to do it in the national interest."
Ian Blackford vowed to use “all levers available” to ensure Boris Johnson was held accountable for his "misleading statements" on Christmas parties in Downing Street.
The SNP Westminster leader said: "The latest damning evidence looks like a clear breach of the rules by the very person who set them.
"The Prime Minister’s constant misleading of Parliament - but more importantly, the public - cannot stand. It’s time for him to finally correct the record and resign.
"People in Scotland have looked on in horror as leak after leak confirms this Tory government wasn’t just breaking the rules - they were flagrantly flouting them at Westminster, while the public made important sacrifices for the good of us all.
"On the final week in the Commons before Christmas, the SNP will use all levers available to us to ensure that the Prime Minister is held accountable for his actions.”
Anas Sarwar accused the Scottish Tory boss of "hollow" outrage"
The Scottish Labour leader said: “It is astonishing that Douglas Ross still claims Boris Johnson is the right person to lead the country.
“His outrage will ring hollow as long as he continues to back Boris - the man he fought to make Prime Minister.
“Boris’ Tories in Scotland are part of the problem. At this time of national crisis we need serious leadership."
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