THE Beast from the east has derailed tomorrow’s Tory conference in Aberdeen.

Tens of Scottish Conservatives were due to gather in the north east for a weekend of debating, drinking and David Mundell.

But the red weather warning has forced the party to push back the start time of the annual jamboree. And there is still the possibility it could be cancelled entirely.

In an email to delegates, Mark McInnes, the Tory peer who is director of the party in Scotland, said the decision to delay the conference had been taken after discussions with Police Scotland and the relevant authorities.

Conference would not start at 12.30pm, he said.

“This will give everyone the opportunity to attend our extensive programme of lunchtime fringe meetings and lunches before the conference session begins in the hall at 2pm.

“This decision will also allow attendees to travel on Friday morning and avoid disruptive and potentially dangerous conditions on Thursday. An updated conference agenda will be circulated tomorrow, but we will endeavour to ensure that all scheduled debates and sessions will still take place, albeit with slightly different timings. In the meantime we will continue to work closely with the relevant authorities to ensure the safe and smooth running of the Conference.”

Given the tensions within the Tories over Brexit, the decision over who gets their timing chopped could be quite political.

In yesterday’s National we revealed how supporters of Jacob Rees-Mogg had been given plum roles at the conference, prompting questions over Ruth Davidson’s hold on her party.

Colin Clark, one of 62 Tories in the European Research Group (ERG), who signed a letter to Theresa May calling for the UK to have “full regulatory autonomy”, will give the welcome address at the event in Aberdeen. He will be joined to speak on stage by fellow arch Euro-sceptic Ross Thomson, whose name was not on the correspondence sent to the PM last week, but who said he agreed with its contents.