Former Conservative candidate suspended over alleged contract-killing claims

Jack Ross, a former Conservative candidate in local elections, has been suspended from the party with immediate effect after an Al Jazeera investigation into alleged contract killings and far-right networks.

Footage appeared to show Ross, chief executive of Turning Point UK, asking an undercover reporter what they wanted done before listing violent options ranging from assault and facial cutting to stabbing, shooting and murder. He also discussed acting as an intermediary between a client and a potential perpetrator.

Police Scotland said the Al Jazeera documentary would be reviewed and assessed for possible criminality. The Conservative Party said it could not comment further while its investigation was ongoing.

Meeting with far-right-linked contact

Al Jazeera reported that Ross introduced its undercover reporter to a violent Glasgow criminal allegedly linked to the Ulster Volunteer Force. At a London hotel, the man appeared to offer to arrange killings, including a staged hit-and-run made to look like drink-driving and a stabbing.

The investigation said Ross had previously paid the contact thousands of pounds to organise a fake political rally supporting the removal of UK sanctions on Zimbabwe. Ross also referred to requests involving a shooter and said he did not want to leave his “prints” on anything.

Turning Point UK connections

Turning Point UK began as a student movement but has become increasingly involved in anti-migrant street protests. Its chief operating officer, Nick Tenconi, leads the far-right UK Independence party.

Tenconi was also filmed with Ross discussing a plan to use football hooligans to provoke trouble during street demonstrations. Ross later denied Al Jazeera’s findings, saying his comments to the undercover reporter were not meant seriously.

Ross is listed as a research fellow by the conservative Bow Group thinktank. His profile says he has advised MPs and candidates on political and digital strategy; he has also been photographed with Boris Johnson, James Cleverly, Jacob Rees-Mogg and Liam Fox.