TORY MP Douglas Ross is expected to be named the new leader of the Scottish Conservatives later today.

No other challenger has put themselves forward or been nominated by the requisite 100 members to ensure a leadership contest.

Nominations close today at noon, and Ross will be appointed leader if no challenger materialises.

The Moray MP will take over from Jackson Carlaw, who resigned on Thursday. There were rumours that Ross was looking to take over within minutes of the announcement.

READ MORE: How Douglas Ross voted on the NHS, Brexit, devolution and more

In a statement, Carlaw said he believed he was not "the person best placed" for the leadership.

Ross is expected to run for a seat in Holyrood at next year's election and has asked former leader Ruth Davidson to fill in for him at First Minister's Questions when the Scottish Parliament resumes next week.

Former Scottish Secretary David Mundell, current depute leaders Annie Wells and Liam Kerr and a host of MSPs and councillors have backed Ross's rise to the leadership along with Carlaw and Davidson.

Ross, who previously represented the Highland and Islands region at Holyrood before beating then SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson for the Moray constituency, resigned as a minister in the Scotland office in May in the aftermath of government adviser Dominic Cummings' efforts to defend a trip to Durham during lockdown.