Two more candidates to replace Douglas Ross as leader of the Scottish Conservative Party have dropped out, leaving three still in the race.
North-east MSP Liam Kerr and former justice spokesperson Jamie Greene both followed ex-Olympian Brian Whittle in ending their campaigns, with all three throwing putting their faith in Murdo Fraser.
Mr Fraser, whose standing for a second time to be leader of the party after losing out to Ruth Davidson in 2011, has also urged his rivals to stand aside so he can be coronated uncontested.
Justice secretary Russell Findlay and Megan Gallacher, who recently resigned as deputy leader of the party, have also meet the 100-nomination threshold to contest the leadership.
During his speech, Mr Fraser said: “I say to both Meghan Gallacher and Russell Findlay, let’s bring this sorry chapter to a close. Come and join this team, show our members and the country that we understand their frustration, that we have responded to their deep concerns.
“There is far more that unites us than divides us. I have been really taken by Meghan’s pitch, particularly to women and younger voters, and admire her for the strong stance she took and leadership she showed against the Gender Reform Act.
“And I admire Russell for his campaigning on law and order issues, and for the way he has set out new policy ideas in the course of his campaign. We need all these talents to come together to take the party forward, so come and join me and my team.”
Mr Kerr claimed he had also met the 100-nomination threshold, but said: "There is only one with the experience to deliver and friends, that is not me. In the eight years I have worked with him, I see Murdo shares my demand for vision, integrity and unity.
"I have withdrawn as a candidate and instead will devote myself to supporting the one remaining candidate which can deliver this vision."
Meanwhile, speaking at the launch of Mr Fraser's campaign, Mr Greene said: "People may argue Murdo and I sit on monumentally different ends of the Conservative perspective. That remains to be the case, but that is how successful Conservative parties win elections and get into government."
"There is only one candidate with broad appeal who can deliver change, and I now support Murdo Fraser."