Darren Millar expected to be confirmed as new Welsh Tory leader

On Wednesday, the outgoing Welsh Conservative leader said there was “plotting” taking place as long ago as April.

That was denied by Peter Fox, one of the seven MSs that voted against him.

“There was a range of things that happened over recent months that many of us were starting to feel uncomfortable with,” he said.

Millar said he has wanted to build on Davies’ legacy and “get back to holding the Welsh government to account – that has to be our focus”.

As of Wednesday evening, Millar’s backers include outgoing leader Andrew RT Davies, former leader Paul Davies, Janet Finch-Saunders, Peter Fox and Russell George.

Samuel Kurtz, Laura Anne Jones, Tom Giffard, James Evans, Altaf Hussain, Joel James and Gareth Davies also supported Millar.

The endorsements include several MSs who had opposed Davies in the vote of confidence on Tuesday.

Natasha Asghar has said she was waiting to see if anyone else stands but was also “minded” to back Millar.

Only two nominations are theoretically left – Sam Rowlands and Mark Isherwood.

Under rules that require three other MSs to back a candidate, unless someone switched support, a rival candidacy is impossible.

Grassroots Newport Tory Huw Davies said it was “very disappointing” that Conservative members will not be able to elect the new group leader.

“There are a number of issues which need raising, and it will leave the new leader without a mandate,” he said.

Nominations close at 17:00 GMT on Thursday.