Ross Thomson’s ex claims he was ‘threatened’ after slating the Scots Tory MP’s boozy ‘grope’ shame at Parliament bar
Douglas Mathewson, 33, made the allegation as the MP was criticised by party bosses for his behaviour at the Commons pub
MP ROSS Thomson’s ex has claimed he’d received “threats” after slating the Tory politician over his “groping” shame.
Douglas Mathewson, 33, made the allegation as the MP was criticised by party bosses for his boozy behaviour in a Commons bar on Tuesday night.
Mr Mathewson - who wed Thomson, 31, in a civil partnership in 2013 - claimed on social media it was a “a good insight into why we are no longer together”.
But he later said: “Removed my previous post due to the nature of some threats I was getting.”
Under-fire Thomson was blasted by a Tory boss for his behaviour in the Commons “groping” incident - as party bosses urged him to say sorry.
The troubled politician - hit by claims he inappropriately touched two men in a Westminster bar - was slated by Scottish Tory caretaker boss Jackson Carlaw for “completely unacceptable” conduct.
Critics rounded on the Aberdeen South MP including his ex-partner, who alleged he’d been threatened by people “behind” Thomson after slamming his behaviour in a Twitter post.
The politician has still not given his own version of events about the incident at the Strangers’ Bar at around 11pm on Tuesday night.
The Met Police confirmed on Wednesday they had been called “following a report of sexual touching”, had spoken to parties involved - “three men in their 20s and 30s” - but said no formal complaints were made.
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Eyewitnesses said Scotland Office minister Lord Duncan and fellow Tory MP David Duguid tried to calm down sozzled Thomson minutes before cops escorted him from the bar.
But a source said he was “very, very drunk” and had refused help.
A senior Scottish Tory source said Thomson had been speaking to party whips - in charge of discipline - who had advised him to make a “contrite” statement.
But it was claimed Thomson was professing his innocence, amid claims he could be having personal problems and suffering from stress.
A senior Tory insider at Westminster told The Scottish Sun: “If he follows the whips’ advice, they will look after him. If he doesn’t they will be far less supportive.”
Asked by a Twitter user who had made the threats, Mr Matthewson said: “Threats were from people who are still behind this so-called individual.
“I believe the gravity of actions as reported in the public domain should be enough to show them what he is really like.
“They blame stress but as someone who suffers G.A.D. [Generalised Anxiety Disorder] I don’t buy that excuse.”
In a separate post, Mr Mathewson said: “I feel what is now in the public domain is giving everyone a truthful perception of the individual and that gives me relief because there were a lot of people who didn’t believe me.”
Pals tried to calm down Ross Thomson amid 'grope' claims before cops escorted him out
At Holyrood today, following First Minister’s Questions, Scottish Tory interim leader Mr Carlaw said Thomson’s behaviour was “completely unacceptable”, and confirmed party bosses are continuing to look in to the incident.
Quizzed by reporters on the affair, Mr Carlaw - deputising while Ruth Davidson is on maternity leave - said party inquiries were “ongoing”.
He said: “I know enough to say that the alleged behaviour is completely unacceptable and falls well below the standard I think any of us would expect of any elected representative.
“Those inquiries are ongoing and we may have more to say at a later time.”
The Tory MSP said he first became aware of the groping claims via social media reports.
And when asked if Mr Thomson should “consider his position”, Mr Carlaw responded: “As I say inquiries are ongoing at this time but I can say, and I’m quite happy to say, his behaviour is completely unacceptable.”
Speaking yesterday lunchtime, a Scottish Tory HQ source said neither Mr Carlaw or Ms Davidson had spoken to Mr Thomson, but that he’d “been in touch with the Westminster whips”.
He said: “It would be the whips who, in terms of any issues that arise from this, it would be their responsibility to take it forward.”
Asked if there had been any previous complaints about Mr Thomson, a former MSP and Aberdeen councillor, the source said: “We’re not aware of any complaints, we’ve not received any complaints.”
Quizzed on whether the Tories would have wait for a complaint to launch an investigation, he said: “With an MP it would be for the whips to examine any disciplinary issues. If there haven’t been any complaints made, I guess that would be the first step and they would have to go forward from there.”
Asked about claims Mr Thomson was suffering from stress, or if he had any other problems, he added: “I don’t know.”
Rival party HQs at Holyrood have been reluctant to comment on the affair amid confusion surrounding the incident.
But Nats’ Aberdeenshire East MSP Gillian Martin - axed from a ministerial post last year due to controversial blog remarks - said on Twitter: “Ross Thomson was particularly nasty and calling for my hide 9 months ago. I believe he called me ‘unfit for public office’ and called my character into question.
“Let’s hope for his sake people show him more kindness as he faces a media drubbing, than he showed me.”
Thomson was elected at the snap 2017 general election. The staunch Brexiteer is the first Tory to represent Aberdeen South since 1992.
But he has raised eyebrows with his conduct since winning his seat from the Nats.
Last year he joked that he liked Brexit like his men — “hard rather than soft”.
And he was slammed after posing for photos on dead dictator Saddam Hussein’s throne on a trip to Baghdad.
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