Russell Findlay has won the support of all five of the party’s MPs in his bid to replace Douglas Ross as Scottish Tory leader.

Current Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland, John Lamont, David Mundell, Harriet Cross, Andrew Bowie and John Cooper have all backed the former journalist.

He has also been endorsed by 12 MSPs.

Murdo Fraser, one of his rivals in the contest, said it was because the party's justice spokesman was the "establishment candidate."

Meanwhile, the other contender, Meghan Gallacher, claimed a senior figure in the party was spreading rumours about her. 

Voting in the contest starts on Wednesday, and runs for three weeks with the new winner announced on 27 September.

The three hopefuls will face off tomorrow night in the first televised hustings of the debate.

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Mr Lamont, who was Ruth Davidson’s campaign manager in 2011, said he recognised “a lot of the same strengths in Russell as she had”.

“He’s positive, determined and he connects with people,” he added.

Mr Mundell said he believed Mr Findlay could “get our party winning again across Scotland.”

He added: “We need someone who can stand up to John Swinney at First Minister’s Questions and reach out to voters who may have backed Labour or Reform or didn't vote at the recent general election.

“Russell has the life experience to be an effective leader and deliver the right kind of change that our party needs to succeed again.

“He would keep the party united and bring people together, just as he has in this contest by securing the support of our MPs, MSPs, councillors and grassroots supporters.”

Mr Fraser was asked by the BBC, if the level of support for Mr Findlay means it was “game over” for his tilt at the top job.

Mr Fraser said he has the backing of three former contenders for the role as well as nine MSPs.

He said: “I know I’m not the establishment candidate here. I’m on the one representing the members, representing the grassroots.

“It’s our members who will decide this contest and I think our members probably have had enough of being told from the top what’s good for them.

“There is a huge disconnect between our membership – who want to be involved, want to have a say, want to engage – and some of the leadership we’ve had, which has been quite disdainful of the input of our members, and I’m seeing that anger come out at some of the hustings I’ve been at.”

Ms Gallacher denied on Sunday that she is about to withdraw from the leadership contest.

She posted on X: “It’s been brought to my attention that a senior member of the party has been calling members to suggest that I am about to withdraw from the contest and back another candidate.

“This is completely untrue and will continue setting out my vision to reset, rebuild and restore our party.”

Meanwhile, Mr Fraser also called for a cut in the rate of VAT for hospitality businesses.

Last year, in his Autumn Statement, the then Chancellor Jeremy Hunt extended a 75% discount in rates for a further 12 months.

The discount allowed businesses in England and Wales to claim relief up to £110,000, saving the average pub £12,800 a year.

The Scottish Government did not follow suit with Finance Secretary Shona Robison saying she needed to prioritise health funding.

Mr Fraser said: “We have already seen too many go to the wall and this pattern is likely to be repeated unless action is taken to assist the sector.

“That is why I am calling today for a reduction in the VAT rate for hospitality from 20% to 10%, delivering a real boost to a sector of the economy in much need of support.

“The UK has one of the highest VAT rates for hospitality of any part of Europe and we need to take action to address this if we are to remain a competitive destination and secure the viability of hospitality businesses.

“I will be asking all UK Conservative leadership contenders to pledge to a VAT cut for hospitality.”