Scotland's first minister Henry McLeish has resigned, telling MSPs he took full personal responsibility for the row over office allowances.

In a personal statement heard in silence by the Scottish parliament, McLeish said there was no need to repeat the details of the so-called "Officegate" affair in which he claimed expenses for his constituency office while failing to declare he was sub-letting the office.

It has emerged that Downing Street put pressure on McLeish to go.

His resignation prompts a leadership race - with his former contender Jack McConnell now seen as the front-runner.