Tory MP Douglas Ross to cut back on refereeing
After criticisim for missing a vote Douglas Ross says he won't officiate at matches during Parliamentary terms
Last updated 27th Oct 2017
Douglas Ross will not be blowing the whistle at games anymore while Parliament is sitting.
The MP who juggled refereeing and politics came under criticism for missing a parliamentary vote to officiate at a Champions League match.
Mr Ross missed the Universal Credit debate to work as an assistant referee at the Barcelona v Olympiakos game in Spain on the 18th of October.
Theresa May had to defend him when SNP MP John McNally waved a red card during Prime Minister's Questions, saying members of the public were ''expected to turn up to their day jobs or face sanctions''.
The MP says it means he will no longer be able to referee at the majority of international matches, saying that his "dream'' of officiating at next year's World Cup is now over.
He defended his decision to miss the debate earlier in the month saying he knew he would not be able to speak in it. He said arrangements were made to make sure his absence would not affect the vote.
After reflecting on the criticism he received, Ross did say his role as an MP is his "number one priority", realising he could not do both jobs anymore.
Mr Ross gave a statement to local press in his constituency, saying: "I'm greatly indebted to the many local people who expressed their support for me to continue to referee as well as be their MP".
"And while I have one of the highest voting records of any MP and many of my political opponents, and fiercest critics of late, have several outside jobs and interests, I know that the fury my last match caused will be repeated any time I am appointed to a match when Parliament is sitting in the future.'