A Fife MP has put herself forward to be the next deputy leader of Scottish Labour.
Lesley Laird has been holding the role on an interim basis since the resignation Alex Rowley, a Fife MSP.
She is the first to throw her hat in the ring to be Richard Leonard’s second-in-command.
The new deputy is expected to be announced in late summer, with voting closing at the end of August.
As well as her Westminster seat and the interim job, Ms Laird is the shadow Scottish secretary and a Fife councillor. She has faced criticism for neglecting council duties.
Announcing her candidacy, the former senior talent manager for RBS said: “I have built a strong working relationship with Jeremy and Richard, and taking on the role of deputy leader on an interim basis, I have come to the conclusion that I am best placed to continue this work.
“I bring to the table a lifetime of experience outside politics and a strong collaborative ethos.
“I believe it is these qualities that the party needs at this time to continue its journey and to win the confidence of the electorate across Scotland and the UK.”
Ms Laird is loyal to UK and Scottish Labour leaders Jeremy Corby and Richard Lenard and is likely to face off against a centrist rival.
