Ross Thomson calls Scottish Conservative critics of Boris Johnson 'a***holes'

Aberdeen South MP Ross Thomson has launched an outspoken attack on critics of the controversial former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson.

Johnson's speech to the Conservative conference in Birmingham was seen by many in the party as a bid for leadership of the party, which has been criticised from many quarters including the Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson and Scottish Secretary David Mundell.

But in a twitter rant Thomson, a supporter of Johnson who flanked him on his way through the media scrum, labelled the critics ”Operation Arsehole’s” [sp}

Johnson had received a rapturous reception as he once again attacked Theresa May's Brexit strategy and set out his alternative vision for the country.

The speech came after it emerged that senior Scottish Conservatives had launched a bid - dubbed 'Operation Arse' - to stop the Uxbridge MP from succeeding May amid fears it could kill off the party's revival north of the Border.

The row came after Mundell told a conference fringe event that Mr Johnson was “not an asset” to the Tories. 

He said: "Unfortunately Mr Johnson seems to behave in a way that suggests he is only focused on his own self interest and not on the interests of our country, and I find that very disappointing.

"I think what is a fact is that Mr Johnson is not an asset for the Scottish Conservative Party. I don't think people find that his behaviour is one that would endear him to voters.

"We have a very, very strong leader in Scotland in Ruth Davidson who had a very significant contribution to make to this conference. Her message was to rally round the prime minister as we move forward with Brexit."