Pressure on Jim Murphy to bring forward resignation date

Jim Murphy could be forced out earlier than his planned departure date as Scottish Labour leader, according to senior figures in the party.

It came as one MSP said the defeated MP should not “dictate” future strategy following the party’s general election disaster north of the border.

Mr Murphy announced he would stand down in a month after narrowly surviving a no confidence vote.

However, he said he would compile a report of recommendations for taking Labour forward before departing.

In a blog, Greenock MSP Duncan McNeil said: “He cannot now be the person to shape and dictate what the party does next.”

That view is thought to be widely held among MSPs, with several of those who supported Mr Murphy in the crunch vote said to be angered at the fact he had not shared his decision to quit before they backed him.

One senior source said: “I don’t think he’ll last a month. Even people who voted for him are baffled.

“They were away having a cup of tea thinking their man had survived then they hear through the media about his plans.

“I’ve heard people have gone to the general secretary to raise their concerns.”