A LEADERSHIP candidate for the Scottish Conservatives has formally complained about Borders MP John Lamont.

MSP Meghan Gallacher is understood to be accusing the shadow cabinet member of threatening her career.

Ms Gallacher, one of the three MSPs vying to succeed Douglas Ross, has submitted a complaint about shadow Scotland secretary Mr Lamont.

Mr Lamont, who is backing her rival Russell Findlay, has strongly denied any wrongdoing.

The Daily Telegraph reported that Ms Gallacher’s complaint was made on Friday after a phone call between herself and the MP for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk last weekend.

After the call the MSP was reportedly upset and concerned she would be deselected before the Scottish Parliament elections in 2026.

However Mr Lamont, who was a junior minister in Rishi Sunak’s government, has strongly denied that he threatened her career and merely said that their relationship had been damaged.

He is contesting the complaint, which will be handled by the party’s headquarters in 
London.

He said Ms Gallacher’s claims were “defamatory and false” and added: “I am now considering further action including legal options.”

Ms Gallacher had earlier alleged a “senior member” of the Tories had been calling party members to falsely suggest she was going to pull out of the race.

A Scottish Conservatives spokesperson told the PA news agency: “The party has received a complaint and this will be investigated in the usual way.”

Along with Ms Gallacher, Mr Findlay and Murdo Fraser are in the race to be the next leader of the Scottish Conservatives.

The party’s final hustings events took place over the weekend after ballot papers were sent out last week. 

The winner will be announced on September 27.

Posting on X, formerly Twitter, Mr Fraser said the report of Ms Gallacher’s complaint was “disturbing” and needs to be “thoroughly investigated”.