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Scottish Labour leadership: Sarwar resignation sparks double contest Scottish Labour leadership: Sarwar resignation sparks double contest
(35 minutes later)
Scottish Labour is seeking both a new leader and a new deputy leader following the resignation of Anas Sarwar.Scottish Labour is seeking both a new leader and a new deputy leader following the resignation of Anas Sarwar.
The Glasgow Central MP announced on Thursday evening he was standing down from his role as depute. The Glasgow Central MP announced on Thursday evening he was standing down from his role as deputy.
He is currently interim leader of the party following Johann Lamont's departure and will remain in that role until her replacement is announced.He is currently interim leader of the party following Johann Lamont's departure and will remain in that role until her replacement is announced.
Contests for the leadership and deputy leadership will run concurrently.Contests for the leadership and deputy leadership will run concurrently.
Ms Lamont quit last Friday, and accused Labour's UK leadership of treating Scotland like a branch office.Ms Lamont quit last Friday, and accused Labour's UK leadership of treating Scotland like a branch office.
Mr Sarwar's resignation came after fellow MP Jim Murphy announced he was entering the leadership race against Lothian MSPs Neil Findlay and Sarah Boyack.Mr Sarwar's resignation came after fellow MP Jim Murphy announced he was entering the leadership race against Lothian MSPs Neil Findlay and Sarah Boyack.
If Mr Murphy were elected and Mr Sarwar remained deputy leader it would leave the Scottish Labour Party without a leader at Holyrood. ANALYSIS
The Glasgow Central MP said: "I have come to a decision I believe is in the best interest of the Scottish Labour Party. Glenn Campbell, BBC Scotland political correspondent
As Johann Lamont's deputy, Anas Sarwar became Labour's interim leader in Scotland when she quit.
He had indicated that he'd like to stay on as deputy after the contest to replace her. But he recognised the difficulty.
If Labour MP Jim Murphy were to win the leadership, the party at that moment would be led by two Westminster MPs.
After what he's described as much soul-searching, Mr Sarwar's decided to go.
He announced his intentions at a Labour fundraising dinner attended by Ed Miliband in Glasgow last night.
A deputy leadership election will now be held at the same time as the leadership vote.
Mr Sarwar, the MP for Glasgow Central, said: "I have come to a decision I believe is in the best interest of the Scottish Labour Party.
"It's my intention to hand over the leadership to a new team on 13 December."It's my intention to hand over the leadership to a new team on 13 December.
"I think it's also right that we have a concurrent leadership and deputy leadership election."I think it's also right that we have a concurrent leadership and deputy leadership election.
"This will allow a Scottish Labour party, its members and affiliates the opportunity to not only elect a leader, but a new leadership team focussed on winning in 2016.""This will allow a Scottish Labour party, its members and affiliates the opportunity to not only elect a leader, but a new leadership team focussed on winning in 2016."
Lothians MSP Kezia Dugdale and North East Scotland MSP Jenny Marra could be possible candidates to succeed Mr Sarwar as deputy leader. Lothians MSP Kezia Dugdale and North East Scotland MSP Jenny Marra had been tipped as possible candidates to succeed Mr Sarwar as deputy leader.
However, speaking on BBC Radio Scotland's Morning Call programme Ms Marra said she would "absolutely not" be standing for the position.
Labour leader Ed Miliband was in Scotland on Thursday evening to attend a party function in Glasgow.Labour leader Ed Miliband was in Scotland on Thursday evening to attend a party function in Glasgow.
In an interview with the BBC he admitted Labour faced a "big challenge" in Scotland and he said he would work closely with whoever was elected as the new Scottish leader.In an interview with the BBC he admitted Labour faced a "big challenge" in Scotland and he said he would work closely with whoever was elected as the new Scottish leader.
His visit coincided with two opinion polls which indicated a dramatic fall in Labour's Scottish support.His visit coincided with two opinion polls which indicated a dramatic fall in Labour's Scottish support.
The polls, by Ipsos/Mori for STV and by YouGov for The Times, suggested the SNP could have many more MPs in Scotland than Labour after the general election.The polls, by Ipsos/Mori for STV and by YouGov for The Times, suggested the SNP could have many more MPs in Scotland than Labour after the general election.
Mr Miliband said: "I'm going to work with whoever is elected as the new leader in Scotland and I will look forward to working with them.Mr Miliband said: "I'm going to work with whoever is elected as the new leader in Scotland and I will look forward to working with them.
"We face big challenges to show how we can change Scotland, how we can change it economically, how we can change it so there are stronger powers for the Scottish Parliament.""We face big challenges to show how we can change Scotland, how we can change it economically, how we can change it so there are stronger powers for the Scottish Parliament."