TWO contenders for leadership of the Scottish Conservatives have dropped out of the race.
Liam Kerr and Jamie Greene (below) had previously announced their intention to run to replace Douglas Ross.
However, at at Murdo Fraser’s official campaign launch in Perth on Thursday, both men appeared in the hall and gave speeches to say they were backing him.
It leaves three MSPs in contention to become Scottish Conservative leader – Fraser, Russell Findlay, and Meghan Gallacher.
Greene told the audience in Perth he would take his own bid for the leadership no further, saying Fraser is the only candidate with the “gumption” to turn things around for the party.
Kerr said he had the support of 120 members - enough to allow him to run - but said the party must unite under a “strong, experienced and respected leader”.
MSP Brian Whittle, who had dropped out of the contest on Tuesday, also gave his backing to Fraser.
It comes after the race was thrown into turmoil last week when candidates signed a letter to Ross questioning the fairness of the leadership process.
On the same day, Gallacher stood down as Ross’s deputy due to the “concerning allegations”.
It was reported that the current party leader had sought to quit a year ago and asked another colleague to step aside in a constituency so he could return for Westminster. Ross had publicly said he wanted to focus on Holyrood.
The party leader denied the claims, which his MSPs called “disturbing”.
