Scottish Tory election mastermind Michael Crow sacked
The journalist taken on to mastermind the Conservatives' General Election campaign in Scotland, Michael Crow, has been sacked.
The party, which won just one Scottish seat on 6 May, said he was let go as director of strategy and communications due to "financial constraints".
Scottish Conservative chairman Andrew Fulton said Mr Crow had made a "massive contribution" to the party.
Mr Crow was previously a political correspondent at STV.
In a statement, Mr Fulton said: "Michael has been an extremely effective and efficient director of strategy and communications for the Conservative Party in Scotland.
"He has made a massive contribution to the Conservative Party at both a Scottish and UK level and we are extremely grateful for all the hard work and expertise he brought to the organisation.
"The General Election campaign he helped run was extremely professional and well organised. Unfortunately, due to financial constraints we have to let him go, but we hope he will play a role in the future of the Conservative Party in some capacity."
Mr Crow said: "I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with the Conservative Party and wish everyone well in the UK government and in the upcoming Scottish Parliament elections.
"The party faces financial constraints at the moment and that has led to the current situation."
The Conservatives had set a target to return a total of 11 MPs to Westminster in the election, but Scotland Office minister David Mundell emerged as the party's sole Scottish member of parliament.