Nominations to close on Scottish Tory leadership

Nominations for the next Scottish Tory leader will close at noon today, with Douglas Ross currently the only candidate to put their name forward to replace Jackson Carlaw.

The Moray MP has received backing from across the Scottish Conservative party, including from former leaders Jackson Carlaw and Ruth Davidson.

Carlaw last week announced his resignation as leader, saying he had reached the “simple if painful conclusion” that he is not “best placed” to lead the party into the next election.

He said a new leader would be able to make the case for the Scottish Conservatives and the Union “better than me” .

With former Scotland Office minister Ross planning to contest a seat at the 2021 Scottish Parliament election, Davidson would represent the party at FMQs.

Speaking to the BBC, Ross said he would be confident in confronting the UK party over policy decisions he disagreed with.

He said: "Absolutely, I think you've seen that very clearly to the extent I gave up a job, that I thoroughly enjoyed doing, in the Scotland Office.

"As leader of the Scottish Conservatives I will not be a member of the government and I won't be part of collective responsibility."