RUTH Davidson has returned to Holyrood after six months on maternity leave promising to oust Nicola Sturgeon at the next election.

The Scottish Conservative launched her campaign to be Scotland’s first Tory First Minister at her party conference on Saturday.

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Back in the parliament, she said: “While it was dreadfully hard to tear myself away from baby Finn this morning, it feels good to be back at my desk.

“I fired the starting pistol on our party’s 2021 election campaign at the weekend and everyone is buzzing and ready to go.

“We've got two years to show the people of Scotland that we are ready to become the next government of Scotland and the hard work starts now.”

Ms Davidson gave birth to her first child, Finn, last October.

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Her son with partner Jen Wilson weighed 10lb 1.5oz.

In Ms Davidson's absence, her place at First Minister's Questions was taken by her deputy Jackson Carlaw.

The First Minister and her challenger for Bute House resume their FMQs clash on Thursday.