AN OPENLY gay ally of David Cameron has emerged as a serious contender to become the next leader of the Scottish Conservatives.

Ruth Davidson, a former BBC reporter who was only elected as a Glasgow list MSP eight weeks ago, is being urged to stand by senior figures at both Westminster and Holyrood.

The 32-year-old is understood to have the backing of current leader Annabel Goldie and allies of the Prime Minister, who see her as a moderate alternative to the other main contender, the right-wing deputy leader Murdo Fraser.

Leadership nominations are due to open in September with the new leader installed in early November.

In the run up to the Scottish election, Davidson worked as an aide to Goldie, and was not expected to become an MSP. However, the resignation of the leading Tory candidate in Glasgow over past financial problems propelled her to the top of the regional list, and she was elected with 6% of the vote.

After Goldie announced she would step down in the autumn, Davidson downplayed suggestions she might stand as her successor. Instead, she backed Tory justice spokesman John Lamont for the leadership. But Lamont self-destructed last month with a controversial speech on Catholic schools.

Although on the right of his party, Fraser, 45, is regarded with suspicion by Unionists because of his support for far greater tax and spending powers for the Scottish Parliament.

The only other likely contender is fellow right-winger Jackson Carlaw, 52, but his recent failure to win the Eastwood seat despite boundary changes giving him a 3,500-vote lead has damaged his chances.

Davidson is close to Cameron, and accompanied the Prime Minister when he visited Glasgow during the Scottish elections.

The only openly gay Tory MSP, she lives in Edinburgh with her partner of three years, an analyst for RBS.

“It is basically Annabel’s supporters within the group who are urging Ruth to go for it. It’s Annabel’s wish.”

Davidson said: “I have made no decision to stand. In fact, I don’t believe any of my parliamentary colleagues have declared whether they’re going to stand or not.”