RUTH Davidson has delivered her third snub to Boris Johnson in the Tory leadership race, backing his rival Jeremy Hunt as the best candidate to be Prime Minister.

The Scottish Tory leader said the Foreign Secretary would “put the Union first”.

Ms Davidson, who has never hidden her disdain for Mr Johnson, has previously backed two of his other rivals - Home Secretary Sajid Javid and Environment Secretary Michael Gove.

In a post on Twitter, she said: “Any Conservative leadership candidate must put the Union first. Jeremy has done so and will get my vote.”

READ MORE: Ruth Davidson switches support to back Michael Gove in Tory leadership race

The Scottish Tories fear Mr Johnson would prove so unpopular with Scots voters that he could be a threat to the Union.

Ms Davidson’s belated endorsement - the leadership race narrowed to the final two last Thursday - follows 18 of her MSPs and three of her MPs also backing Mr Hunt.