South Scotland MSP Sharon Dowey has announced she will back Russell Findlay MSP to lead the Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party.

The Scottish Conservative leadership contest has started, with voting set to begin at the start of September and close at the end of the month.

Findlay will contest the battle against Murdo Fraser and Meghan Gallagher, with the winner set to be announced in late September.

The MSP has already gained the public support of 11 Scottish Conservative MSPs and MPs, alongside dozens of councillors.

Findlay was an investigative journalist for 30 years for national newspapers and a national broadcaster.

He became an MSP in 2021 and is currently the Scottish Conservative Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Justice.

South of Scotland MSP Sharon Dowey said: "I'm supporting Russell Findlay to lead my party back to winning ways.

"Russell will change our party for the better and build a common-sense Conservative policy platform that champions aspiration, opportunity and decency.

"He has got the determination and character to unite our party so we can take the fight to the SNP and Labour.

"Before he became an MSP, Russell was a successful investigative journalist for three decades. He's got the life experience to connect with new voters.

"At this difficult time, he's the right choice to lead and unite our party.

"Russell would make sure our party stays together and he would unite Conservatives across the country. I'm backing him to become our next leader and I would encourage other party members to do so too."