Brian Whittle pulls out of Scottish Tory leadership race

Brian Whittle has pulled out of the race to become the next leader of the Scottish Conservatives, the MSP has confirmed.

He has endorsed Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser for the top job instead.

That takes the total number of candidates in the running from six down to five.

Contenders must have secured the backing of 100 members by Thursday to ensure their name is on the ballot.

Announcing his withdrawal, Whittle also took a swipe at candidates for viewing "natural disagreement as a personal affront". 

"Despite that, I am confident that this party has the ideas and the ability to grow and win in Scotland if it is willing to accept, as most of the candidates have, that it must change to offer Scotland's voters a credible centre-right alternative," he said.

"The question for me and every other member now is simple: which of the remaining candidates is best placed to unite the membership behind them, harness their talents, and turn the Scottish Conservatives into a party that meets the needs of its members and, crucially, Scotland's voters?

"For me, I believe that person is Murdo Fraser. He has recognised the scale of the change that is needed and represents the genuine change of approach that we need to win."

Alongside Fraser, other MSPs still in the race are Russell Findlay, Meghan Gallacher, Liam Kerr and Jamie Greene.

Findlay formally launched his campaign on Monday, having secured the requisite 100 signatures to ensure he features on the ballot.

Fraser is expected to also formally launch later this week.

Nomination close as midday on Thursday and the ballot will be posted to members at the start of September.

The new leader will be announced on Friday 27 September.

The race was confirmed before the general election when incumbent Douglas Ross confirmed his intention to resign following a row over his selection as a Westminster candidate.

Ross intends to stay on as leader until the new one is elected but has faced calls to resign immediately following concerns about "propriety".

Reports suggested Ross wanted Findlay to replace him in a discussion with a party councillor a year ago. Former leader Jackson Carlaw said these developments made Ross's position "unsustainable". 

Fraser, Whittle, Kerr and Greene signed a joined statement expressing concern about the news last week.

Gallacher also quit her role as deputy leader following the row, saying Ross had created a "potential risk to the reputation of our party and the leadership contest moving forward".