Boris Johnson ‘nominates’ Ruth Davidson for House of Lords seat

Boris Johnson is set to nominate former Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson for a seat in the House of Lords.

The prime minister is understood to have included the Edinburgh MSP alongside a number of other party figures on his Dissolution Honours List, which is likely to be published next week.

Ms Davidson is set to stand down at the 2021 Holyrood election but, if she becomes a peer, she could depart from the Scottish Parliament earlier and spark a by-election — or she could hold a dual role until next spring.

Despite reports that she is on the honours list, Scottish Tory sources say they would be “amazed” if she accepts such a role.

Ms Davidson stepped down  from her leadership role in August to spend more time with son Finn.

At the time, she described herself as “an ex-journalist and soon-to-be ex-politician”.

Mr Johnson is believed to have also put forward former chancellors Ken Clarke and Philip Hammond for peerages.

The House of Lords appointments committee, which vets honours, is due to meet on Tuesday.

Both Downing Street and the House of Lords Appointments Commission refused to comment on the rumours.