This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-29765415

The article has changed 20 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Johann Lamont to stand down as Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont to stand down as Scottish Labour leader
(36 minutes later)
Johann Lamont is to stand down as leader of the Scottish Labour Party, BBC Scotland understands. Johann Lamont is to stand down as leader of the Scottish Labour Party after accusing some of her colleagues of trying to run Scotland "like a branch office of London."
Her resignation is expected to be confirmed on Saturday.
Ms Lamont was elected as the party's leader in December 2011, having previously acted as its deputy leader.Ms Lamont was elected as the party's leader in December 2011, having previously acted as its deputy leader.
She is said to have become disillusioned with internal criticism of her leadership and interference by the UK Labour party in the running of Scottish Labour. Her resignation will be made with immediate effect.
A Labour party source said Ms Lamont had "had enough" and felt she did not have the support of the UK party.A Labour party source said Ms Lamont had "had enough" and felt she did not have the support of the UK party.
Ms Lamont's deputy, Anas Sarwar MP, will take over the leadership on a temporary basis. An MSP will also be chosen to stand in for Ms Lamont at Holyrood until a successor is elected. She is said to have become disillusioned with internal criticism of her leadership and interference by the UK Labour party in the running of Scottish Labour.
More autonomyMore autonomy
Ms Lamont's deputy, Anas Sarwar MP, will take over the leadership on a temporary basis. An MSP will also be chosen to stand in for Ms Lamont at Holyrood until a successor is elected.
BBC Scotland understands that Ms Lamont has been unhappy for some time about the direction of party strategy.BBC Scotland understands that Ms Lamont has been unhappy for some time about the direction of party strategy.
In particular, she has wanted more autonomy for the party in Scotland and significant new powers for the Scottish parliament. She felt both of those objectives were being thwarted. In particular, she wanted more autonomy for the party in Scotland and significant new powers for the Scottish Parliament. She felt both of those objectives were being thwarted.
It is also understood that Ms Lamont was unhappy that a senior official of the Scottish party was to be removed from office without her being consulted.It is also understood that Ms Lamont was unhappy that a senior official of the Scottish party was to be removed from office without her being consulted.
Speaking to the Daily Record newspaper, Ms Lamont accused some Scottish Labour MPs at Westminster of being too concerned about their own interests and failing to realise that the "focus of Scottish politics is now Holyrood, not Westminster."
She said: "I am standing down so that the debate our country demands can take place."
Ms Lamont, a former English teacher who joined the Labour Party as a teenager, has represented the Glasgow Pollok constituency at Holyrood since 1999.
She took over as the party's Scottish leader in the aftermath of the 2011 election, where Labour suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of the SNP.
In the weeks after the independence referendum, she said she wanted to lead Labour to victory in the next Holyrood election in 2016 and become first minister despite increasing speculation that her leadership faced significant internal opposition.
A UK Labour party source said: "She realised it was time for a change in Scotland, she has put the party first.
"Ed (Miliband) regards her as an honourable woman who has served the party well and we hope will serve the party again in the future."
Labour voters
Ms Lamont is the second Scottish party leader to resign following the referendum after First Minister Alex Salmond decided to step down from his role.
Mr Salmond will be replaced as first minister and SNP leader by deputy Nicola Sturgeon at their party conference in Perth next month, but it is much less clear who will replace Ms Lamont as Scottish Labour leader.
Earlier this week, two former Labour first ministers - Lord McConnell and Henry McLeish - suggested the party was in need of an overhaul.Earlier this week, two former Labour first ministers - Lord McConnell and Henry McLeish - suggested the party was in need of an overhaul.
Their comments came in the wake of many traditional Labour voters backing Scottish independence in last month's referendum.Their comments came in the wake of many traditional Labour voters backing Scottish independence in last month's referendum.
Lord McConnell, who was first minister between 2001 until 2007, said the party must "rediscover our sense of purpose, our vision for Scotland".Lord McConnell, who was first minister between 2001 until 2007, said the party must "rediscover our sense of purpose, our vision for Scotland".
His words echoed those of his predecessor Henry McLeish, who told the BBC: "There's no entitlement to a vote now. Labour has got to realise that every vote has got to be fought for."His words echoed those of his predecessor Henry McLeish, who told the BBC: "There's no entitlement to a vote now. Labour has got to realise that every vote has got to be fought for."