Scotland's former first minister, Henry McLeish, has announced that he will not stand in next year's Holyrood elections.

Scottish Labour's high command had warned McLeish's that his candidacy for the Central Fife seat would be barred until an investigation had ended into his constituency office expenses.

"After 30 years experience fighting elections and 28 in public office I am today announcing my intention to withdraw from elected politics," McLeish said in a statement.