West of Scotland MSP Jamie Greene has pulled out of the race to become the next leader of the Scottish Conservatives.

And he has given his backing to MSP Murdo Fraser to take over the job vacated by Douglas Ross.

With three of the candidates having dropped out, including South Scotland MSP and Ayrshire native Brian Whittle, it leaves just three MSPs in contention to become Scottish Conservative leader - Mr Fraser, Russell Findlay, and Meghan Gallacher.

And the race has become increasingly bitter, with rival camps in the party vying for control.

Mr Greene made his announcement on Thursday at a campaign launch for Mr Fraser, saying he was the only candidate with the “gumption” to turn things around for the party.

Largs-based Mr Greene said in a statement on X (formerly Twitter): "I would like to pay credit to all the leadership contenders. It's tough going.

"I have learned, perhaps the hard way, that when you stick your head above the parapet, you open yourself to attack and criticism, even from those you least expect to.

"Conservative parties win elections and get into government by respecting each other's differences and by appealing as widely as we can.

"We were once deemed a broad church. I would probably now consider us more of a slightly wide side chapel.

"The election winning machine that I joined in 2016 now feels like a battle of mindsets between continuity and change."

Mr Greene was at the centre of a row in July over his future electoral prospects at Holyrood, amid claims that he faced deselection if he attempted to become the party's Cunninghame North candidate.

As a regional MSP his future prospects lie to a large degree in the hands of the party's leadership.

Mr Greene came second to the SNP's Kenneth Gibson in Cunninghame North at the last Holyrood election in 2021, but retained his seat at Holyrood after being named third on the party's regional list for the west of Scotland.

He was later axed from the Scottish Tory frontbench team, and claimed the decision was down to his support for the SNP's controversial gender reforms.

Mr Green continued: "I am hugely grateful for the lovely, positive and inspirational messages I've had in response to my campaign.

"I hope whoever wins this contest will make use of my passion and enthusiasm to speak to audiences, which we too often forget.

"The new leader needs to use every bit of talent in the group to success and if they want to command the respect of the group."

The leadership race was called after current Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross announced he would quit the post after a row over his decision to stand for a Westminster seat as well as his one in Holyrood.

Candidate Megan Gallagher resigned as deputy Scottish Conservative leader last week, claiming Mr Ross had been favouring Mr Findlay as his successor.