'Bully' Douglas Ross is an embarrassment to MSPs, John Mason claims

Douglas Ross is an embarrassment to MSPs on the parliamentary committee he leads, a member has said.

Ross, the former leader of the Scottish Conservatives, is the convener of the Education, Children and Young People Committee.

The 10-member panel is made up of four SNP MSPs, two Tories, one each from Labour, the Greens and the Lib Dems, and independent MSP John Mason.

It's claimed that the group is “embarrassed” by Ross's conduct when taking evidence from witnesses.

And, in an unusual move, Glasgow Shettleston MSP Mason has asked the Presiding Officer what to do about it.

The move follows clashes between the PO and Ross over his conduct in the chamber and a Wednesday committee meeting in which Ross pressed the principal of the University of Edinburgh over his salary.

Mason asked Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone: "I seek your advice as to what the Education, Children and Young People Committee should do, because the convener of the committee, Douglas Ross, repeatedly bullies witnesses who come to us, especially female witnesses, but this morning, a male witness. It is embarrassing for the committee - the committee has discussed it and Mr Ross refuses to listen to the committee. I seek your advice as to what we should do."

Johnstone responded: "In the first instance, that is a matter for the committee itself and for its convener."

Johnstone ejected Ross from the chamber last week after issuing repeated warnings over heckling during FMQs.

This week he raised the matter in parliament, saying Johnstone had refused to meet with him.

Edinburgh University is making significant cuts due to a budget crisis and yesterday Ross pressed principal Peter Mathieson over his salary, which is higher than that of the first minister.

Mathieson said he was "certainly very well paid" but could not specify the figure.