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Tory MSP Brian Whittle has pulled out of the race to become the Scottish Conservative party's next leader and thrown his support behind Murdo Fraser.

The MSP for South Scotland announced on X that he had withdrawn from the contest to replace Douglas Ross.

He confirmed he will now back veteran MSP Fraser, who is up against Holyrood colleagues Meghan Gallacher, Jamie Greene, Russell Findlay, and Liam Kerr.

Nominations for the leadership contest close on 22 August and the winner, elected by Conservative party members, is to be announced on 27 September.

Mr Whittle had previously said his objective for the future of the Scottish Conservatives was to "build a party that can win in Scotland".

Announcing that he was stepping down, Mr Whittle said: "The question for me and every other member now, is simple. Which of the remaining candidates is best places to unite the membership behind them, harness their talents, and turn the Scottish Conservatives into a party that meets the needs of its member and, crucially, Scotland's voters.

"For me, I believe that person is Murdo Fraser. He has recognised the scale of the change that is needed and represent(s) the genuine change of approach that we need to win.

"I look forward to supporting him as the campaign continues."

The former athlete raced at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul and won the 4x400m relay at the European Championships at the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki in 1994.

Douglas Ross announced he would quit as Scottish Tory leader halfway through the general election campaign, amid a row over his failed bid to return to Westminster.

His resignation followed a row over Mr Ross standing as a candidate for Aberdeenshire North and Moray East instead of David Duguid, who has been in hospital and was in effect de-selected.

Four of the leadership candidates - Mr Whittle, Mr Fraser, Mr Kerr and Mr Green - later raised concerns that Mr Ross had intended for Mr Findlay to succeed him.

They said they were concerned about the fairness of the contest and asked party officials to give "clarity" on what they described as "disturbing claims".

Ms Gallacher resigned as the Scottish Tory party deputy leader over the "concerning allegations" about Mr Ross but remains in the leadership contest.