Scottish Conservative MSP Faces Life Threat Amid Leadership Bid

Scottish Conservative MSP Russell Findlay has revealed that Police Scotland has informed him of a credible threat to his life, reportedly linked to a "known criminal." This intimidation is believed to stem from a past incident involving William Burns, a hitman who attacked Findlay with acid at his home in 2015. Findlay, who has recently declared his candidacy for the leadership of the Scottish Conservatives, remains undeterred by the threats, asserting that he will not allow gangland intimidation to hinder his political ambitions. As a former crime journalist and the party's justice spokesman since 2021, Findlay has extensive experience in reporting on organized crime. He acknowledged the risks associated with holding powerful individuals accountable, stating, "I accept that holding powerful and dangerous people to account can come at a cost." Despite the dangers, he emphasized the importance of resilience, declaring, "You can't run away from threats... You have to be defiant and stand firm for what you believe in." The timing of the threat coincides with Burns' upcoming parole hearing, prompting Findlay to call for greater transparency in parole and sentencing processes. Assistant Chief Constable Andy Freeburn confirmed that Police Scotland maintains strong communication with elected officials regarding security matters. Currently, Findlay is the only declared candidate in the race to succeed Douglas Ross as leader of the Scottish Conservatives, following Ross's announcement to step down after four years in the role.