Tory MP to miss important Commons vote because of Champions League refereeing commitment
A Tory MP is set to miss a debate and vote on welfare policy because he will be running the line at a Champions League football tie in Barcelona.
Douglas Ross has been listed as assistant referee at the Camp Nou stadium for Wednesday night's match against Greek side Olympiacos.
The game kicks off at 7.45pm UK time - 45 minutes after MPs at Westminster are expected to vote on a Labour motion calling for the controversial rollout of universal credit to be postponed.
The Government could face a potentially embarrassing revolt on the motion, with reports suggesting up to 25 Tory MPs could be willing to rebel over concerns about claimants facing delays to get money under the system.
But the absence of Mr Ross suggests that Tory whips have adopted a relaxed approach and could mean the Conservatives repeat the ploy they used to avoid a potential rebellion in previous Labour-led debates in the Commons by abstaining en masse.
Mr Ross ousted the SNP's Westminster leader Angus Robertson to win the Moray seat in June's General Election and the Tories insisted his constituents supported his refereeing work.
In the Commons register of interests, Mr Ross has declared earnings of more than £2,700 for his work as an assistant referee in Scotland and Europe.
That includes £1,436.35 for a previous European tie, a Europa League play-off between NK Domzale and Marseille.
A spokesman for the Scottish Conservatives said: "There will be many Scottish Conservative representatives in this debate.
"Douglas has held more than 50 surgeries since becoming an MP and has met personally with (Work and Pensions Secretary) David Gauke to discuss local cases which have arisen from those.
"Despite what the SNP thinks, the people of Moray are right behind Douglas and his refereeing, as they showed decisively when they elected him as their MP just a few months ago."
Theresa May mounted a charm offensive on Tuesday night in a bid to see off a backbench rebellion over Universal Credit.
The Prime Minister met with key rebels who threatened to join forces with Labour and attempt to force the Government to stop the roll-out of its flagship welfare reform.
Labour has secured a full day debate today to demand a rethink on the reform and party sources said they expected around 15 Tory MPs to support their motion to pause an acceleration of the roll-out.
However, Heidi Allen, Dr Sarah Wollaston and Johnny Mercer were all silent after meeting with Mrs May in Downing Street yesterday afternoon.
It is understood that Mrs May reiterated assurances given by David Gauke, the Work and Pensions Secretary, who has insisted that a system of advance payments was already in place to help those struggling when they switch.
He has announced that job centre staff have been told to do more to ensure claimants are aware of the advance payments system so that they can ask for help if they need it.
Damian Hinds, the employment minister, also hosted a "positive" meeting with MP.
