Board of Deputies ‘sorry’ to see Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson step down

The Board of Deputies said on Thursday it was “sorry” to see the former Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson step down.

Ruth Davidson formally resigned as Scottish Conservative leader on Wednesday,  citing both “professional and personal” changes.

Davidson described leading the Tories in Holyrood – the job which she took on in November 2011 – as the “privilege of my life”.

Davidson, who campaigned for Remain in the 2016 European referendum, cited the “conflict” she had felt over Brexit.

A spokesperson for the Board of Deputies said Davidson had been an “impressive” speaker at their president’s dinner in 2017.

The Scottish politician was guest of honour at the annual dinner where she appeared in conversation with BBC Newsnight presenter Emily Maitlis.

“We had a warm working relationship with Ruth Davidson and are sorry to see her go,” the spokesperson said.

“We wish her well in all her future endeavours and look forward to working with her successor in due course.”

Danielle Bett, Jewish Leadership Council’s Scotland regional manager, said: “We wish Ruth Davidson all the best in future as she steps down as leader of the Scottish Conservative party in order to spend more time with her family and in particular baby Finn.

“From being outspoken on antisemitism to engaging with the Jewish community and attending events such as the Giffnock Burns Supper, we’d like to express our gratitude for her dedicated and continued support to the Jewish community in Scotland.”