11 November 2005
Scottish Conservatives this week attempted to recover from the internal turmoil that has engulfed them by electing Annabel Goldie as their new leader.
She was the only nominee to replace David McLetchie, who resigned following a row over claims made to the Scottish Parliament for taxi expenses.
His sudden decision to stand down was followed this week by the further embarrassment of Tory group finance spokesman Brian Monteith being forced to resign after he was found to have plotted against McLetchie.
Goldie warned that she would not tolerate disloyalty and disobedience. The former deputy leader said: 'I think you may take it matron's handbag will be in hyper-action. I'm not prepared to tolerate the kind of nonsense that has gone on.'
Goldie, a regional list MSP for Glasgow and a lawyer, is regarded as a competent and able politician with a sense of humour. 'The wheels are back on the wagon and I'm the nag hitched up to tow it,' she said after her election.
The 17-member Tory group in the Parliament has been riven with division since McLetchie resigned.
Within days of his resignation, it emerged that Monteith, the Parliament's audit committee convener, had sent e-mails to the editor of the Scotland on Sunday newspaper suggesting that it run an editorial calling for McLetchie to quit.
Monteith was forced to resign from the Parliament Tory group and faced demands from his expulsion from the party. He
pre-empted that on November 8 by resigning from the party 'with immediate effect'.
David Cameron, the national Tory leadership candidate, cancelled a visit to Scotland this week because of the rows.
PFnov2005
