David Mundell backs Theresa May for Prime Minister

Scottish secretary David Mundell has said his cabinet colleague Theresa May is his preferred choice to be leader of the Conservative party.

The nominations for the leadership contest close today at midday, after David Cameron resigned following the country’s vote to leave the European union.

The winner, who will be declared on 9 September, will become the UK's Prime Minister.

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Home secretary May has announced her bid, with former London mayor Boris Johnson and Eurosceptic MP Liam Fox expected to follow. They will join work and pensions secretary Stephen Crabb, who launched his candidacy yesterday.

Speaking to BBC’s Good Morning Scotland this morning, Mundell said: “I am backing Theresa May. I think in these very difficult and uncertain times we need a serious and competent politician as our leader."

He criticised Johnson’s lack of experience at the top level.

"Mr Johnson is a very colourful, flamboyant and indeed charismatic figure, but I don't think that he does have that experience on the world stage.

"Playing ping pong at the Olympics is quite different from negotiating Britain's exit from the EU," he said.