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Johann Lamont resignation: Scottish Labour leader stands down immediately Johann Lamont resignation: Scottish Labour leader stands down immediately
(35 minutes later)
Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont has resigned with immediate effect after accusing the UK party of treating Scotland as a "branch office". Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont has resigned with immediate effect after accusing the UK party of treating Scotland like a "branch office".
The 56-year-old MSP had indicated that she had "had enough". Two former Scottish Labour first ministers, Henry McLeish and Jack McConnell, told the BBC they understood Ms Lamont's frustrations.
Ms Lamont was also angry that key decisions were being made without her input. Lord McConnell said he had had concerns for a while and was "very, very angry".
Former Labour first minister in Scotland, Henry McLeish, told the BBC that the resignation was evidence of Labour in crisis. Labour MP Anas Sarwar, who was Ms Lamont's deputy, has now taken over as interim leader of the Scottish party.
Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme, he said: "This crisis in Labour didn't happen yesterday - this has been a decade now of decline. In a statement, he thanked his predecessor and said he and his colleagues would continue to hold both the government at Holyrood and the government at Westminster to account.
"We've seen that they [Labour] have failed to match the other parties in terms of devolution commission reports and of course we have had this suffocating control of Westminster during this period. And this leads to the need for a very different modern Labour Party as we go ahead."
In an interview with the Daily Record, Ms Lamont described some Labour MPs as "dinosaurs" who failed to recognise that "Scotland has changed forever" after September's referendum.In an interview with the Daily Record, Ms Lamont described some Labour MPs as "dinosaurs" who failed to recognise that "Scotland has changed forever" after September's referendum.
She told the newspaper: "Scotland has chosen to remain in partnership with our neighbours in the UK. But Scotland is distinct and colleagues must recognise that.She told the newspaper: "Scotland has chosen to remain in partnership with our neighbours in the UK. But Scotland is distinct and colleagues must recognise that.
"There is a danger of Scottish politics being between two sets of dinosaurs - the Nationalists who can't accept they were rejected by the people, and some colleagues at Westminster who think nothing has changed.""There is a danger of Scottish politics being between two sets of dinosaurs - the Nationalists who can't accept they were rejected by the people, and some colleagues at Westminster who think nothing has changed."
The 56-year-old, who became leader in December 2011, went on: "Party members up and down the country, voters on the doors, have spoken to me about the change they want. And that's a Scottish Labour Party which reflects their views. That's what I have been trying to build.The 56-year-old, who became leader in December 2011, went on: "Party members up and down the country, voters on the doors, have spoken to me about the change they want. And that's a Scottish Labour Party which reflects their views. That's what I have been trying to build.
"However, some wanted me to become the issue. The Scottish Labour Party and its renewal are more important than me. That's why I am standing down - so that debate our country demands can take place.""However, some wanted me to become the issue. The Scottish Labour Party and its renewal are more important than me. That's why I am standing down - so that debate our country demands can take place."
'Untenable position' Former Labour first minister in Scotland, Mr McLeish, told the BBC that the resignation was evidence of Labour in crisis.
Ms Lamont wanted more autonomy for the party in Scotland and significant new powers for the Scottish Parliament. Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme, he said: "This crisis in Labour didn't happen yesterday - this has been a decade now of decline.
"We've seen that they [Labour] have failed to match the other parties in terms of devolution commission reports and of course we have had this suffocating control of Westminster during this period. And this leads to the need for a very different modern Labour Party as we go ahead."
Lord McConnell echoed Mr McLeish's words adding that Mr Miliband had questions to answer.
He told BBC Radio Scotland: "She [Ms Lamont] clearly blames today publicly Ed Miliband and those around him and that's a very serious accusation that requires answers, and it requires answers not just from him but from those closest to him.
"I have had my concerns for some time about the way in which the Scottish Labour Party was struggling to set out a vision for the 21st century and a positive vision that would take us from opposition back into power.
Ms Lamont had wanted more autonomy for the party in Scotland and significant new powers for the Scottish Parliament.
But she felt both of those objectives were being thwarted by some of her Westminster colleagues, and accused them of putting their own interests ahead of those of Scotland.But she felt both of those objectives were being thwarted by some of her Westminster colleagues, and accused them of putting their own interests ahead of those of Scotland.
She was also unhappy that a senior official of the Scottish party - general secretary Ian Price - was to be removed from office without her being consulted.She was also unhappy that a senior official of the Scottish party - general secretary Ian Price - was to be removed from office without her being consulted.
Ms Lamont's Daily Record interview said: "Any leader whose general secretary can be removed by London without any consultation is in an untenable position. That has to change."Ms Lamont's Daily Record interview said: "Any leader whose general secretary can be removed by London without any consultation is in an untenable position. That has to change."
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. Former teacher
Whoever replaces Ms Lamont will become Scottish Labour's seventh leader since the Scottish Parliament was established 15 years ago. The timetable for choosing a new leader will be set out soon.
ANALYSIS In the meantime Mr Sarwar is in charge and an MSP will be chosen to stand in for Ms Lamont at Holyrood.
Brian Taylor Whoever replaces her will become Scottish Labour's seventh leader since the Scottish Parliament was established 15 years ago.
BBC Scotland political editor
Bear in mind Johann Lamont is not just the leader at Holyrood, she is meant to be the elected leader of the entire Scottish Labour Party that includes the MPs elected from Scotland to Westminster.
But did Douglas Alexander, Jim Murphy, Gordon Brown and the rest regard Ms Lamont as their leader? No, in effect, they did not.
And the Westminster party never saw her as being the full leader of the party in Scotland.
Could she have done more to assert her position? Perhaps she could.
And there will be some that will say that the manner of her leaving does not fit her well, and perhaps gives a gift to the SNP.
Ms Lamont has said she would back the new leader, whoever they were.
The newspaper interview said: "I believe the Scottish Labour Party is a family - it is my family. And I hope it is led by someone who knows how to treat family members properly."
Ms Lamont, a former English teacher who joined the Labour Party as a teenager, has represented the Glasgow Pollok constituency at Holyrood since 1999.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 Scottish Parliament election, when Labour suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of the SNP.She took over as the party's Scottish leader in the aftermath of the 2011 Scottish Parliament election, when 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. 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.
Mr Miliband said Ms Lamont deserved "significant credit" for the successful "No" vote in the Scottish referendum campaign. Responding to Ms Lamont's resignation, Mr Miliband said she deserved "significant credit" for the successful "No" vote in the Scottish referendum campaign.
'New leader'
He added: "She campaigned the length and breadth of Scotland making the case for social justice within the United Kingdom.He added: "She campaigned the length and breadth of Scotland making the case for social justice within the United Kingdom.
"She has led the Scottish Labour Party with determination. I know she will continue to serve her constituents."She has led the Scottish Labour Party with determination. I know she will continue to serve her constituents.
"Having elected a new leader, I believe the party will show the same will and determination it did in the referendum campaign to help us to victory in the general election of 2015 and the Scottish elections of 2016.""Having elected a new leader, I believe the party will show the same will and determination it did in the referendum campaign to help us to victory in the general election of 2015 and the Scottish elections of 2016."
New leader names
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.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 succeed Ms Lamont as Scottish Labour leader.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 succeed Ms Lamont as Scottish Labour leader.
Former prime minister Gordon Brown has constantly been linked to the job, as has fellow MP Jim Murphy, who also played a prominent role in the referendum campaign.Former prime minister Gordon Brown has constantly been linked to the job, as has fellow MP Jim Murphy, who also played a prominent role in the referendum campaign.
Current deputy Mr Sarwar will also be seen as a candidate for the position along with a number of prominent MSPs, including Kezia Dugdale, Neil Findlay and Drew Smith. Mr Sarwar will also be seen as a candidate, along with a number of prominent MSPs, including Kezia Dugdale, Neil Findlay and Drew Smith.
Responding to Ms Lamont's resignation, Ms Sturgeon said that Ms Lamont "carries my personal best wishes", Reacting to Ms Lamont's resignation, Ms Sturgeon said that Ms Lamont "carries my personal best wishes",
But she added: "There is no question that her shock resignation reveals Labour to be in complete meltdown in Scotland.But she added: "There is no question that her shock resignation reveals Labour to be in complete meltdown in Scotland.
"The scale of the infighting between Scottish Labour and Labour at Westminster is exposed for all to see."The scale of the infighting between Scottish Labour and Labour at Westminster is exposed for all to see.
"The London-based leadership pulling the party's strings in Scotland, and Labour campaigning side-by-side the Tories in the referendum, has proved a deeply corrosive combination which is causing Labour support to plummet in Scotland.""The London-based leadership pulling the party's strings in Scotland, and Labour campaigning side-by-side the Tories in the referendum, has proved a deeply corrosive combination which is causing Labour support to plummet in Scotland."
'Values and principles''Values and principles'
Green MSP Patrick Harvie, who is part of the Smith Commission discussing further devolution for Scotland, said: "I'd like to wish her well and express hope that those seeking change within the Scottish Labour Party can make progress.Green MSP Patrick Harvie, who is part of the Smith Commission discussing further devolution for Scotland, said: "I'd like to wish her well and express hope that those seeking change within the Scottish Labour Party can make progress.
"Scottish voters deserve to have the option of an effective Labour Party which can advocate the values and principles which its UK leadership has sadly long ago surrendered.""Scottish voters deserve to have the option of an effective Labour Party which can advocate the values and principles which its UK leadership has sadly long ago surrendered."
A Scottish Conservative spokesman said: "Johann Lamont's resignation has shown the complete chaos at the heart of Ed Miliband's operation in the starkest possible terms. The man isn't fit to run a village fete, never mind the UK."A Scottish Conservative spokesman said: "Johann Lamont's resignation has shown the complete chaos at the heart of Ed Miliband's operation in the starkest possible terms. The man isn't fit to run a village fete, never mind the UK."
And in a tweet sent after Ms Lamont's announcement, Lord McConnell said: "This is a truly astonishing development. Johann leaves with head held high. Outrageous treatment of Scottish Labour Party Leader."