LIAM KERR has promised to “unify” the Scottish Tories as he enters a four-way fight for its leadership.

Former leader Douglas Ross MSP was forced to resign amid accusations of deselecting a seriously ill colleague in order to secure the candidacy in a “safe” Tory Westminster seat for himself – a seat he then lost in July.

The North East Scotland MSP joins Olympian Brian Whittle, justice spokesman Russell Findlay and deputy leader Meghan Gallagher in the battle to become Holyrood’s next leader of the opposition.

Setting out his stall in the Telegraph newspaper, Mr Kerr made clear he wanted the Tories out of opposition and into power with a “unified, proactive, ideas-led team.”

He said: “Under my leadership, the Scottish Conservatives will start from the future: a 15-year vision of what a vibrant, prosperous UK and world-leading Scotland will be.”

Promising an “evidence-based, what-works strategy,” Mr Kerr continued: “I have the vision, the strategy and the ability to unify our excellent MSP cohort, with our members and our supporters, into a proposition that will deliver power.”

A Scottish Tory leader will be selected by the end of September.