INVERCLYDE'S MSP has refused to back his local party colleague for the SNP deputy leadership.

Stuart McMillan says he will not reveal who he is voting for to become Nicola Sturgeon's number two even though Gourock councillor Chris McEleny is in the running.

It comes after the area's MP, Ronnie Cowan, announced his support for Mr McEleny, who leads the Inverclyde Council SNP group, on Tuesday.

Councillor McEleny is up against MSP and Scottish economy secretary, Keith Brown, and unelected party activist Julie Hepburn.

Mr McMillan said: "During the previous deputy leadership contest, I didn't issue any comments in support of any candidate.

"I intend doing the same this time round."

Mr McEleny is bidding to become SNP deputy for the second time having also put himself forward in 2016, finishing fourth.

The Gourock councillor, who was first elected in 2012, now has a one in three chance of being voted in by party members.

He has made a second Scottish independence referendum a cornerstone of his campaign - and has called for a fresh poll within 18 months.

Announcing his support, Mr Cowan said: "After due consideration I shall be voting for Chris McEleny to be the next deputy leader of the SNP.

"This has nothing to do with our mutual love of Morton FC and everything to do with our mutual desire to see an independent Scotland."

The winner of the deputy leadership race will be announced at the SNP conference next month.

The contest was triggered by the resignation of former MP Angus Robertson in February.

Mr Robertson continued in the role despite losing his Moray seat at the election last June.