A FORMER Scottish Conservative MP has revealed who he is supporting in the race to replace Ruth Davidson.
Ross Thomson – who quit the party following sexual assault allegations made against him – has thrown his support behind Michelle Ballantyne.
The MSP for South Scotland announced today she would be challenging Jackson Carlaw to become the next leader of the Scottish Conservatives.
READ MORE: Who is the MSP challenging Jackson Carlaw to be ScotsTory leader?
Thomson took to Twitter to announce his support.
"I have signed my nomination paper for @MBallantyneMSP to be the next @ScotTories leader,” he wrote.
✍🏻I have signed my nomination paper for @MBallantyneMSP to be the next @ScotTories leader.
— Ross Thomson (@RossThomson_Abz) January 7, 2020
Members deserve a contest not a coronation. Michelle has the experience and the ideas to make our party a home for working people across Scotland.#BackingBallantyne #BlueCollarRevolution pic.twitter.com/M0Zz76ZmN6
“Members deserve a contest, not a coronation. Michelle has the experience and the ideas to make our party a home for working people across Scotland.
“#BackingBallantyne #BlueCollarRevolution,” he added.
In today’s Daily Telegraph, Ballantyne said she was "not a career politician" and that she has "principles founded in the real world".
"If the Scottish Conservatives are to be serious about levelling up and defeating the SNP in 2021 there is work to do, and I believe I have the background, the experience and the ability to lead the Scottish Conservatives from a party of opposition to a party of government,” she added.
Thomson, the former MP for Aberdeen South, said he would not be running as a candidate in December’s General Election after he was accused of sexual assault by Labour MP Paul Sweeney.
Thomson denied the accusations, saying “anonymous and malicious allegations this year have made my life a living hell”.
READ MORE: Tory MP Thomson quits after fresh ‘groping’ claims from Labour MP
It followed an incident in which Thomson was removed from Strangers Bar in Westminster for allegedly groping men at the venue.
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