Tory leadership hopeful calls for answers over contest claims

Scottish Conservative leadership hopeful Russell Findlay has said "legitimate questions" about the contest must be answered.

However, Mr Findlay insisted he had "full faith" in the transparency of process.

Concerns about fairness have been raised after it was reported current leader Douglas Ross said in July 2023 that Mr Findlay should succeed him.

Leadership contender Meghan Gallacher quit as deputy leader last week due to the "concerning allegations".

Mr Ross has vowed to remain neutral throughout the contest, with the winner to be announced on 27 September.

The Daily Telegraph previously reported that the party leader had asked the Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey candidate Kathleen Robertson if he could replace her in July 2023 - a claim he has denied.

Mr Ross also reportedly told Ms Robertson he wanted Mr Findlay to replace him.

Leadership hopefuls Murdo Fraser, Jamie Greene, Liam Kerr and Brian Whittle have asked for clarity from party officials over the "disturbing claims".

Mr Findlay, speaking at a campaign event in Glasgow, said the past week had shown his party “in a poor light” and that “legitimate questions” must be answered.

The West of Scotland MSP, who is the party's justice spokesperson, has insisted he had no knowledge of the conversation between Mr Ross and Ms Robertson.

Speaking in Glasgow, he called for clarity over what was said.

He also said questions should be answered about the controversial selection process that saw Mr Ross stand instead of a colleague who had been ill in hospital in the Aberdeenshire North and Moray East seat.

However, Mr Findlay insisted he believed that the process was transparent.

"I don’t think there’s been anything said that would suggest that’s not the case," he told reporters.

He added: “I am confident that our party will have a robust and fair contest for leadership and whoever prevails will unite us.”

Former party leader Jackson Carlaw has called on Mr Ross to resign immediately as party leader over the matter.

But Mr Findlay said he saw no reason for the current leader to step down before the end of the contest.

Making his pitch to Tory members, the leadership hopeful vowed to be a voice for “ordinary, decent, mainstream Scotland”.

He said the party must campaign for value for money from public services and the protection of women’s rights and freedom of speech.

Mr Findlay warned the Conservatives had "lost the Ruth Davidson mojo" - referring to the party's former leader.

"I think it's time as a party that we brought back some of that optimism, some of that energy and some of that enthusiasm," Mr Findlay said.

Six candidates are standing in the contest, with nominations due to close on Thursday.

Hopefuls require 100 nominations from party members to get on the ballot paper, with the contest conducted using a preferential voting system.

The bottom ranked candidate will be eliminated in each round, with their first-preference votes redistributed until one candidate receives over 50% of votes cast.