DAVID Mundell is backing fellow Scot Michael Gove in the next round of the Conservative leadership contest.
The Scottish Secretary - who party sources suggest is looking to move from the Scotland Office to the Department for International Development in a future Cabinet reshuffle - said the Environment Secretary had a "strong track record of supporting Scottish interests".
Announcing his voting intention on Twitter, Mr Mundell wrote: "I will be voting for Michael Gove in the next round of the Tory leadership contest. Michael's track record in Government is of supporting Scottish interests and standing up for our United Kingdom."
The Secretary of State voted for Matt Hancock in the first ballot of leadership contenders earlier this week but the UK Health Secretary then withdrew from the race, after coming sixth.
Mr Mundell's announcement means he remains at odds with his colleague Ruth Davidson over who should become party leader and therefore Prime Minister.
The Scottish Tory leader has already backed Sajid Javid in the leadership race.
She said the Home Secretary, the son of a Pakistani bus driver, "embodies the Conservative values of aspiration, education, opportunity, hard work and just reward".
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