Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser has been demoted in the new Scottish Conservative parliamentary line-up.
There was no position in Ruth Davidson’s shadow cabinet team for Mr Fraser, who also stood for leader on a controversial platform of scrapping the party and starting again under a new name.
He was offered a shadow cabinet role believed to be deputy leader but turned it down due to fears his presence would provide the party’s opponents with ammunition.
Instead he will act as convener of the energy, economy and tourism committee a position previously held by Lothians MSP Gavin Brown, who becomes the party’s finance spokesman.
Mr Fraser told The Courier he is happy with his new role, saying: ”I am delighted to have this role in a very important parliamentary committee. I look forward to taking it forward and supporting our new leader.”
There was a major role for Ms Davidson’s other main rival in the leadership contest, Jackson Carlaw, who was appointed deputy leader and handed the health portfolio.
The announcement of the front bench team was initially scheduled for Wednesday, but was delayed as the fall-out from the leadership contest caused headaches for Ms Davidson.
Several MSPs are understood to have rejected roles initially offered to them as continued ill feeling split the party.
The majority of the Conservative MSP group supported Mr Fraser in the leadership contest.
However, the line-up was confirmed early on Thursday morning, meaning Ms Davidson was able to face First Minister Alex Salmond at the despatch box with her team behind her.
Mr Salmond began their exchange at First Minister’s Questions by congratulating Ms Davidson, on her 33rd birthday and on her success in leading her party.
Referring to the problems with the MSP group, he added: ”I would mention that this hobby of hers of kickboxing, in a political sense, seems to have become endemic among her colleagues in the last couple of days”.
Ms Davidson pressed the First Minister to set the date for his planned referendum on Scottish independence.
Mr Salmond responded that the referendum would take place in the second half of the current five-year parliament and include a yes or no question on independence.
Other shadow cabinet appointments included confirmation that Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Liz Smith will keep the education and lifelong learning portfolio.
The former teacher is understood to be among the MSPs who turned down a role, rejecting Ms Davidson’s suggestion she move to the the rural affairs brief.
Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said the move showed rural Scotland was ”not a priority” for the Tories.
Former presiding officer Alex Fergusson will now take on the role for the Conservatives, while former health spokeswoman Mary Scanlon moves to energy, enterprise and tourism.
John Lamont, who ran Ms Davidson’s leadership campaign, was appointed chief whip and former leader Annabel Goldie becomes culture and communities spokeswoman.
The party’s other former leader, David McLetchie, will serve as justice spokesman and Margaret Mitchell another leadership candidate becomes local government and planning spokeswoman.
North East Scotland MSP Alex Johnston keeps the infrastructure, capital investment, housing and transport role, while Nanette Milne will be public health, sport and commonwealth games spokeswoman.
Ms Davidson said: ”I am delighted to unveil my parliamentary team. I believe it’s a strong team, which plays to the talents of the members, and will prove well able to hold the government to account.”