SCOTTISH Tory infighting has exploded into the open with Jamie Greene accusing his party of briefing against him after he was sacked as the party’s justice spokesman. 

In an interview with the BBC, the senior MSP said he felt he was being punished for backing the Scottish Government’s Gender Recognition Reform Bill.

One former Tory MP even suggested the brutal decision to axe the 44-year-old — often regarded as a potential leader — could have more to do with internal unhappiness around Douglas Ross's leadership.

Last week, after the frontbench shake up, sources close to Mr Ross told press that Mr Green’s vocal support for the legislation played a significant part in the decision to oust him. 

READ MORE: 'Pride is something to celebrate' says Tory MSP axed over gender bill

In January he wrote an open letter to Rishi Sunak, urging the Prime Minister not to block the Bill. 

Mr Greene told Radio Scotland’s Sunday Show that he “wasn't given a reason” for the sacking. 

“Not face to face anyway,” he added. 

Asked if he thought it was related to the gender law changes, he said: “I would like to think that I hope that's not the case. But, you know, I'm also a realist, and I think it became quite apparent over the course of the day last week, that was probably the case. 

“And the reason I know that is because that's what members of the press and journalists were being told. So I have to assume that that is the case. I find that disappointing.”

He added: “We, we were quite lucky, I guess, in the Conservatives, because we had a free vote on the matter. And I was grateful for that, to be quite honest, because there was a divergence of opinions in the party. 

“There was divergence of opinions across parties. 

“And as we saw, on the day of the vote, there were other parties who had issues with that legislation. There was quite a sizable rebellion in the SNP group, Labour had a few issues as well. 

“So I think we approached this the right way, me and the number of colleagues took a position on the bill on the day, and that was that, and that was quite some time ago now and I just thought we'd moved on from all of that.”

READ MORE: Nine SNP MSPs break whip and vote against gender recognition reforms

Asked if he felt he had been punished, he replied: “It's hard to take it any other way to be quite honest.

“If that's the reasons that people are being given then one can only assume that there is a problem there. Was it a true free vote? Who knows? 

“I mean, look, I'm not fussed. I understand politics. People get shuffled about all the time. It happens. 

“That would have been my fourth reshuffle since I was elected. I'm not in any way, disappointed by the concept of it. But it does, you know, it's hard to read it any other way. 

“I do feel perhaps singled out. And if that's what the press were being briefed at the time then, then clearly, there was some underlying issue there. It may have been better just to address that issue with me directly privately.”

Peter Duncan, the former Tory MP and shadow secretary for Scotland, said he thought Mr Greene’s sacking may be more to do with “continuing unhappiness” around Mr Ross’s leadership.

Appearing on the same programme, he said: “I think it would be really disappointing if on an issue which MSPs were given a free vote if that then became something that the leadership felt was unsustainable for Jamie Greene to have taken a different view. 

“I suspect, there's probably a little bit more to it than that.” 

He added: “It is widely known that there is a degree of continuing unhappiness in the camp. It's not surprising, you know, the polls have turned against the Tories to a degree.”

READ MORE: Scottish gender recognition: Tory MSP breaks ranks for vote

Asked if he was referring to unhappiness with Mr Ross, he said: “I think there's unhappiness about the overall strategy. I think certainly from those I speak to I get the sense that they want to see a clearer direction of travel, they want to know that there is a steadier handle on the tiller that is taking them in a direction that's clearly obvious to the electorate. 

“And at the moment, I don't think that that sense of direction is particularly clear. 

“And I suspect, perhaps that Jamie Greene's falling in the reshuffle was probably more related to a wider sense of dissatisfaction, rather than the issue of gender reform. 

“And in fairness, my overriding reaction would be that would be really unfortunate because Jamie Greene is really thoughtful. 

“I mean, what he's done in some of his work on the front bench over the last number of years have been really, really impressive. And I think it's unfortunate he's longer, no longer in front bench to do that.”

A Scottish Conservative spokesperson said: “This reshuffle was an opportunity to bring into the shadow cabinet leading talents from the 2021 intake.

“All the team are focused laser-like on the people’s real priorities – the cost-of-living crisis, unacceptable NHS waiting times and economic growth – while the scandal-ridden SNP ignore them to obsess about independence yet again.”