Former Scottish Tory leader warns candidates to 'keep their heads down' ahead of Holyrood election

Mr Carlaw, who led the party in 2020 following the resignation of Ruth Davidson and was succeeded by Mr Ross, said “due process” must be followed and the allegations “fully investigated”.

The Eastwood MP told The Telegraph that this should be a “wake-up call for everyone”: “I think the concerns that have been widespread for some time during this election have now actually reached a whole new level.”

“There is a serious concern that the party will find it very difficult to come together after this election of the party leader. We all have to do that because we have three excellent candidates. One of them will be elected party leader.

“But the atmosphere is now becoming so toxic that as a former leader and the most senior Conservative MP, as someone who has not endorsed any of the candidates and who does not belong to any tribal group, I appeal to people to now keep their heads down and allow the decision on this election to be made without further rancor, and to be prepared to work together on the other side.”

“Increasingly toxic”

Carlaw warned that the party was in danger of not reuniting in time for the May 2026 election. He said: “The more toxic the party becomes, the more distrustful people become and the less trust they have in each other.”

“That will not be the basis on which we can all come together in a relatively short space of time to contest an important election where we are the only party actually saying something special or different and where the Scottish people need to be offered a real alternative,” he said.

“That is why it is the absolute duty of the people to stop this now and work together. And the party structures must be given the authority to act effectively so that people can feel safe in conducting their election campaigns and this nonsense stops.”

Mr Carlaw did not name those he believed to be at fault, but said: “They don't seem to have the ability to recognise when enough is enough or when they have gone too far.” Scottish Tory MPs have started receiving their ballot papers. The winner will be announced on September 27.

Allegations of dirty tricks

Ms Gallacher's complaint followed allegations that Mr Lamont had called party members and falsely told them she intended to pull out of the election campaign.

She claimed to have received reports from her campaign team that Mr Lamont had told members who had promised to vote for her that she would stand down and support Murdo Fraser instead.

When contacted by the Telegraph about the allegations on Sunday last week, he denied any wrongdoing and called Ms Gallacher at around 9pm that evening.

According to her version of events, Mr Lamont, who chairs the party's executive committee responsible for vetting candidates for Holyrood and Westminster elections, threatened her career prospects.

It is believed to have left the 32-year-old extremely angry and worried that the party may no longer choose her as a candidate for the 2026 Holyrood election.

But in a statement to The Telegraph on Friday, Mr Lamont said: “These allegations are defamatory and false. I am now considering further steps, including legal action.”

His allies said Mr Lamont had not been involved in telephone canvassing for Mr Findlay and that Ms Gallacher could not provide evidence to support the allegations of dirty tricks because they “did not take place”.

Instead of jeopardising Mrs Gallacher's career, he told her that they had to work together regardless of the outcome of the competition.

Her husband submitted supporting testimony along with her complaint because the conversation was on loudspeaker and he was therefore able to hear both sides of the conversation.

Allies of Mr Lamont said another MP was with him during the call, who supported his version of events. Ms Gallacher and Mr Findlay's campaign teams declined to comment on Mr Carlaw's intervention.