Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson backs Michael Gove’s leadership bid
Ruth Davidson, the leader of the Scottish Tories, has confirmed she is backing Michael Gove to be the next Prime Minister after her preferred candidate Sajid Javid was knocked out of the Tory leadership race.
Davidson, who as a member of the Scottish parliament does not have a vote in the contest, originally supported Javid, the home secretary, saying he had the most “credible plan” for delivering Brexit.
Read more: Conservative leadership contest: Sajid Javid voted out
” I stuck with Saj right through the contest despite very flattering phone calls from all the other runners and riders trying to prize me away at various points but I stuck with Saj, I thought hr was the best person for the job,” Davidson told STV.
“We say his qualities throughout the contest, he’s grown within the contest, I’m very sad he’s gone out today.
“In terms of the people who are left, I hope very much to see Michael in the final two and he will have my support.”
Javid was eliminated in the final round of the contest after he finished last with just 34 votes.
Read more: Tory leadership race: Who will face down frontrunner Boris Johnson
Foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt came third with 59, while environment secretary Michael Gove finished second with 61 votes. Boris Johnson extended his lead as the frontrunner, picking up 157 backers – half of the Conservative party.
Johnson, Gove and Hunt will now face each other another ballot of MPs on Thursday afternoon, with Conservative party members picking the next leader – and therefore Prime Minister – from the final two candidates.