RUSSELL FINDLAY is the new leader of the Scottish Tories and the opposition in Holyrood after beating off Murdo Fraser and Megan Gallagher to win the top job today.

Romping to victory with 2,565 votes, to Mr Fraser’s 1,187 and Ms Gallagher’s 403 on a 60 per cent turnout, the former crime journalist secured the role after just three years as an MSP. 

Fresh from winning a mandate from 36.9 per cent of the 6,941 eligible voters in the election – well short of the 50 per cent threshold his party imposed on unions proposing strike action — Mr Findlay pledged to “win back public trust.”