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DOUGLAS ROSS MP has been speaking about why he continues to vote against his party and remains committed to ensuring Moray WASPI women receive a fair pension settlement.

Earlier this month Mr Ross was one of only five Conservative MPs to support a motion calling on the Government to look at transitional arrangements for women affected by changes to the state pension age.

Speaking last night Douglas reiterated his commitment and reason for voting against his party for a second time in the latest debate on pension rights for women born in the 1950’s, saying: “This was a back bench business committee debate and I was happy to support the application to hold it to ensure we could have a full debate on WASPI on the floor of the House.

He added: “I was delighted to be able to welcome Jennifer Matheson from the Moray WASPI group to Parliament after she came to hear the debate. I spoke with her afterwards and I think she was happy with what I had said and the commitment I have shown.

“I made a deliberate choice to support the Moray WASPI group. This is because I have been contacted by ladies for whom the pension changes have been devastating as they have been left struggling financially, whereas they had thought they would be able to support themselves after retirement and they feel let down.

“This debate allowed me to share local cases with the whole house and I was grateful for the support of the local WASPI group in providing a really useful briefing for the debate.”

The MP concluded: “When I signed the WASPI pledge in May, despite what some political opponents have said, it wasn’t just a photo opportunity for me.

“I signed up in support of the 6000 women in Moray affected by this and I have twice made my feelings clear in the House of Commons about the issue and I will continue to work on their behalf to get the result they deserve.”