Ruth Davidson to back Theresa May for Conservative leader
Scottish Conservatives leader Ruth Davidson is to back home secretary Theresa May in the leadership race, once there are two candidates left in the race, Morning Wire understands.
Davidson, who led the Tories to second place in the Scottish parliamentary elections in May, will back her irrespective of whom she ends up against, the Telegraph first reported.
Read more: Candidates to be whittled down to the final two
The second and final ballot of Conservative MPs is to take place today, with May widely anticipated to progress through to a head to head against either Michael Gove or Andrea Leadsom.
Leadsom this morning gave a speech which was widely billed as a let down, but counts put her ahead of Gove.
Read more: The Tories called this referendum – they need to deal with the consequences
After Stephen Crabb withdrew his bid after the first poll – which also eliminated Liam Fox – Davidson tweeted today he had delivered a strong speech and was glad he was backing May.
After the final two candidates are chosen, the wider Conservative party membership will vote on which candidate should be their leader – and therefore Prime Minister.