Speculation is mounting that Prime Ministerial hopefuls Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt will be in Perth next month for the only Scottish date on their hustings calendar.
The Conservative pair are set to be in Scotland on the evening of July 5 to answer questions from Tory party members as they bid to become the next leader of the United Kingdom.
Perth has been strongly rumoured to be the setting of the head to head debate with numerous reports all pointing towards a Fair City forum.
A spokesperson for the Conservative Party refused to confirm or deny the hustings will be held in Perth, saying the final locations would be confirmed later this week.
The Courier has confirmed an as-yet-untitled event has been booked for Perth Concert Hall on the evening of July 5, with a provisional start time of 7pm.
Scottish folk singer Eddi Reader took to Twitter amid reports of a Perth appearance for Mr Johnson, calling for a demonstration against the former Foreign Secretary.
Johnson has endured a difficult week in his leadership bid after police were called to the apartment he shares with partner Carrie Symonds following a heated row that was recorded by concerned neighbours.
Prime Minister rival Hunt has also criticised Johnson over his refusal to take part in a televised head to head debate on Sky.
The planned TV showdown between the Tory leadership candidates was set for Tuesday night but has now been cancelled.
Sky have offered an alternative date of July 1 and Hunt warned Johnson that he faces being called a “coward” if he doesn’t accept the invitation.
Hunt, in a column for the Times, said: “Don’t be a coward Boris, man up and show the nation you can cope with the intense scrutiny the most difficult job in the country will involve.”
The Conservative Party’s 160,000 members will pick between Hunt and Johnson before the final vote count on July 22.
The candidate achieving more than 50 per cent of the vote among party members will be declared Leader of the Party and thus become Prime Minister.
