Scottish Conservative Leader Douglas Ross was accused of "doing a donut" after he performed another U-turn over Boris Johnson's leadership.

In a statement released on Monday afternoon, he said he will vote against the Prime Minister in tonight's vote of no confidence, saying he "cannot in good faith support Boris Johnson."

That takes him back to where he was in January when he was one of the first in the party to call for the Prime Minister to stand down over the Downing Street Partygate row.

The MP for Moray even submitted a letter of no confidence to the 1922 committee of backbench Tory MPs. 

He said Mr Johnson's position was “no longer tenable” after the Prime Minister admitted attending a drinks event during lockdown.

But in March, shortly after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, he withdrew his letter and said the debate around Partygate should be put “on pause” while there is “war in Europe.”

Last month, following the publication of the Sue Gray report, Mr Ross said the Prime Minister should leave No 10 when the war in Ukraine was over.

He said that getting rid of Mr Johnson could “destabilise” the country which would have an impact on the support being offered to Kyiv. 

However, in today's statement, Mr Ross said he could no longer support Mr Johnson. 

Mr Ross said: “While war in Europe continues and the UK Government is providing such strong support to President Zelenskyy and the people of Ukraine, the timing of this vote is far from ideal.

“However, while I’ve not sought to bring this vote about at this time, it is now going ahead tonight, and I’ve had to consider how to vote on behalf of my constituents and the country.

“I do so knowing there are vocal opinions on both sides of this argument, an argument that has dominated much of the political discussion for many months. 

“The Prime Minister can be proud of many of the successes his government have led on, particularly the Covid vaccine and the furlough scheme.

“However, I have heard loud and clear the anger at the breaking of Covid rules that we all did our best to follow, and even more so at the statements to Parliament from the Prime Minister on this topic.

“Having listened closely to people in Moray who re-elected me to represent them, and from many people across Scotland, now that this confidence vote is upon us, I cannot in good faith support Boris Johnson. My vote tonight will support the motion of no confidence.”

Mr Ross was mocked by political rivals.

Labour leader Anas Sarwar tweeted: "I’ve heard of politicians doing U-turns. This one does donuts…"

There was support from some of his party colleagues.

MSP Jamie Greene tweeted: "In my 6 short years in politics not just as a Conservative & Unionist but as an elected Member of any party per se, I know how difficult it is to contemplate breaking a whip or removing leadership support.

"Sometimes you just have to follow your conscience. Made easier when secret."