Scots Tories’ PR expert axed
Scots Tories’ communications director Michael Crow has left the party “by mutual consent”.
Mr Crow is the first high-profile victim of the party’s review into its disastrous general election results, with the party citing “financial restraints” as the official reason for the reportedly six-figure salaried director of strategy and communications’ departure. The party will also have to move out of its £100,000-a-year offices in Edinburgh’s Princes Street.
The Tories targeted 11 seats in Scotland at the election but failed to secure any of them.
Crow was a well-known face in Scotland, having formerly presented Politics Now on STV, and was a high- profile appointment for the party. His role had been to act as a link between the Tories’ London office and the Scottish Conservatives.
It has been suggested that Crow’s departure has now intensified a split between party traditionalists and those seeking modernisation, with Crow having been viewed as someone intent on accelerating change.
Mr Crow said on his departure: "I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with the Conservative Party and wish everyone well in the UK government and in the upcoming Scottish Parliament elections.
"The party faces financial constraints at the moment and that has led to the current situation."
And MSP Alex Johnstone, who stood in Aberdeenshire West and Kincardine, said of Crow: "I thought the level of expertise he brought into the party was exceptional, and he worked hard to ensure our message went out across Scotland.
"The problems we had in terms of not achieving the result we want were nothing to do with Mike."