Douglas Ross has refused to back Prime Minister Boris Johnson to lead the Tory party into the next General Election.
The Scottish Conservative party leader revealed there was "never a personal rift" between the pair after Ross demanded Johnson step down over the partygate scandal.
Ross was one of the first MPs to write to the 1922 Committee calling for a leadership race in the party, however last week he announced he was withdrawing his letter due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Ahead of the Scots Tory party conference in Aberdeen, which kicks off tomorrow, the Moray MP said he still keeps in constant communication with Number 10.
Ross told the Daily Telegraph : "There was never a personal rift between us.
"There was a disagreement on one fundamental issue.
"Behind the scenes, I continue to speak with the Prime Minister’s team on a regular basis and I am looking forward to discussing the war in Ukraine with him this weekend."
With the next General Election scheduled to take place in 2024 Ross didn't back the PM to lead his party during the vote.
"I’m fully focused on the international crisis and the war in Ukraine, not some future general election years down the line," Ross said.
"Previous reservations I had are the last thing on my mind when I see Russia bombing children’s wards.
"I think it would be extremely dangerous to try and destabilise the United Kingdom when Russia is killing innocent people in Ukraine.
"Seeking to remove the Prime Minister just now would be a big boost to Vladimir Putin."
Ross also took aim at the SNP and Nicola Sturgeon 's plan to hold an independence referendum during the first half of the parliament, saying it would play into "Vladimir Putin's hands".
He added: "Bringing forward another divisive independence referendum right now would play into Vladimir Putin’s hands,” he said.
“We must continue to work together across the United Kingdom to end the atrocities occurring in Ukraine.
"It would only boost Russia if the SNP-Green coalition pressed ahead with a destabilising vote to break up the country now."
Ross also hit out at Sturgeon's call for NATO to consider implementing a no-fly zone over Ukraine to stop Russian bombing.
He said: "We are fortunate to have the UK Government leading the efforts against Russia, and not the shameless political opportunists in the Scottish Government."
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