The Secretary of State for Scotland is backing Theresa May to be the next leader of the Conservative Party.
David Mundell – the Tories’ only MP north of the border – said the current Home Secretary is the “strong and credible leader Britain needs in these uncertain times”.
Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson has yet to declare support for a candidate – although she has previously endorsed Work and Pensions Secretary Stephen Crabb, who is an outsider in the contest.
Other Tory MSPs to declare their support include the north-east’s Ross Thomson, who campaign for a Leave vote and is now backing fellow Eurosceptic Michael Gove.
Mr Mundell said: “I am supporting Theresa May to be the next leader of the Conservative Party and the new prime minister of the United Kingdom because I believe she is the strong and credible leader Britain needs in these uncertain times.
“I also think she is the best candidate for Scotland – someone who can bring the whole UK together and command the respect and confidence of people across our country.
“I respect all the candidates who have put themselves forward – they all have their strengths. But I am clear that Theresa May is the right person for this job.”
It has been reported that Ms Davidson would cleave the Scottish party from its Westminster counterpart if Boris Johnson, who has now withdrawn, became the party leader.
A Scottish Conservative spokesman denied this suggestion, however.