TORY leadership contenders have been urged to rise above "cat-calls, petty politics and personal attacks" as the contest enters its crucial final weekend before ballot papers go out.

But the plea from website ToryHoose was treated with scepticism in some quarters as three of the site’s four editors are declared supporters of Ruth Davidson, whose campaign has been mired in accusations of Scottish Central Office bias and interference.

The site issued a statement saying: “The Scottish media are today full of speculation over the Scottish Conservatives’ director of media Ramsay Jones in relation to allegations over his involvement in the leadership election.

“ToryHoose calls for all leadership election candidates and their spin teams and activists to rise above the cat-calls, the petty politics and personal attacks.”

As one party source put it, “they would say that, wouldn’t they, given that it is Ruth who has been involved in questionable tactics”.

Ms Davidson shrugged off the controversies and declared herself the front-runner as the contest reaches the critical stage.

But Murdo Fraser, whose idea of relaunching a new centre right party has dominated the debate, has the support of most MSPs.