TORY minister Douglas Ross has been blasted after he refused a TV debate on his government’s derided immigration plans to referee a football match in Ukraine.

The Moray MP – who has much been criticised in recent years for his part-time job as a globe-trotting assistant ref – was promoted by Boris Johnson last week, and made the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Scotland Office.

But he took a break from the new job last night to run the line at the Shakhtar Donetsk vs Benfica match in Kharkiv.

Meanwhile, the Scotland Office were refusing to put anyone up to defend Boris Johnson’s immigration plans despite desperate pleas from the BBC.

On Wednesday, host of BBC Scotland’s The Nine, Martin Geisler tweeted: “We’ve bid for a @Conservatives or @ScotTories representative to come on @BBCScotNine this evening to discuss their flagship immigration policy. Asked Home Sec, Home Office Minister, Scot Sec, Under SoS, @Jackson_Carlaw or any Scottish MP or MSP. Not one of them can/will do it.”

READ MORE: The Nine can't find ANY Tories willing to discuss immigration plan

Earlier in the day, the BBC Good Morning Scotland host Gary Robertson tweeted: “On immigration #bbcgms wanted to speak to a spokesperson for the UK Government this morning – no-one was available – nor was anyone from the Scottish Conservatives at Westminster or Holyrood.”

Now it turns out Ross was likely travelling to Ukraine for the match.

While the new junior minister put out a written statement welcoming the plans, neither he, or Secretary of State Alister Jack have answered questions from journalists on the proposals – despite huge worries from MSPs and business over what the new points-based system could mean for Scotland’s economy.

READ MORE: Scottish Tories 'livid' about Boris Johnson’s immigration proposals

An SNP spokesperson said: “First, Douglas Ross enthusiastically backed an out-of-touch immigration system that will be absolutely catastrophic for industry and economy in Moray.

“Now he’s camera shy – choosing to gallivant around Europe chasing a football, rather than explain his government’s widely condemned immigration plan.

“Douglas Ross has always treated his parliamentary duties as a part-time job – but now he’s also picking up a ministerial salary it’s simply staggering that he is still choosing to pursue a career outside of politics.

“Douglas Ross’s half-hearted commitment to his constituents shows that he’s simply Boris Johnson’s man in Moray.”

READ MORE: Alister Jack backs PM's immigration plan despite Scottish Tory fury

Back in 2017, Ross was forced to give up on his dream of refereeing at the World Cup after he was criticised for missing Westminster business to officiate at a match in Barcelona.

At the time, the Tory promised to only referee at weekends while Parliament was sitting, saying that would be in the “best interests” of his constituents.

While Parliament is on recess this week, the Government is very much still working.

The Scotland Office has been approached for comment.