Conservative MSP Margaret Mitchell said she supports a UK exit from the "unwieldy" European Union.

Ms Mitchell is the first Holyrood politician to speak publicly in favour of leaving the EU but says she remains open to persuasion.

The Central Scotland MSP said: "I'm not looking at renegotiation. I think it would be a vote to leave because there are too many advantages of coming out and too many restrictions about staying in.

"The free movement of people doesn't look to me as though it's something that's easily resolved. This is a union that's increasing all the time - it's unwieldy.

She told the BBC: "Twenty-eight member states trying to make decisions that are in the best interests of each member state really doesn't work."

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson supports Britain staying in a reformed EU, saying the benefits of membership outweigh any disadvantages.

She said in a speech in Brussels last year: "Any individual within the Conservative Party should be free to campaign on any side of the debate that they want.

"My MSPs know that they have already been given just that freedom."

With all Holyrood's party leaders supporting an In vote, there are few prominent political figures in Scotland so far who have backed the campaign to leave.

Ukip MEP David Coburn, former SNP deputy leader Jim Sillars and Nigel Griffiths, former Labour MP and ally of Gordon Brown, all back Brexit.

Polling in Scotland also suggests the majority of Scots want to remain in the EU, with recent polls indicating as many as two-thirds back an In vote.