Ex-minister Douglas Ross in race to lead Scots Tories

Douglas Ross is likely to be a candidate in the contest to be leader of the Scottish Conservatives following Jackson Carlaw’s sudden resignation, a fellow party MP backing his bid has said.

After less than six months in the job, former minister Mr Carlaw yesterday said he had made the “painful decision” after realising he was not the best person to lead the party in the run-up to next May’s Holyrood election.

Tory MP John Lamont also confirmed today that former leader Ruth Davidson will return to frontline politics and play a part in the team if Mr Ross is elected.

Telling Times Radio he would be campaign manager of Moray MP Mr Ross’s bid to lead the party, Mr Lamont said Ms Davidson “will be taking on Nicola Sturgeon in the Scottish Parliament” up until the election where they hope Mr Ross will swap Westminster for Holyrood.