Helen Liddell has announced that the size of the Scottish parliament will not change despite a proposed reduction in the number of Westminster MPs.

Following a year-long consultation, the Scottish secretary said that the Holyrood parliament will remain 129-strong beyond the next devolved election.

She said that the majority of Scots backed the status quo.

"I have weighed up carefully all the responses, and in view of the overwhelming body of opinion in favour of maintaining the current number of MSPs, in the interests of stability, I propose to seek to amend the Scotland Act accordingly," said Liddell.

But she signalled that a cull of Scottish MPs at Westminster is still likely go ahead before the next election.

As part of the devolution settlement, Labour agreed to reduce the number of Scottish MPs for 72 to 59.

It had been initially thought that the size of the Scottish parliament would also be reduced.

But high profile Scots politicians, including first minister Jack McConnell, have lobbied hard to reverse the decision.

MSPs have argued that any reduction in their numbers would lead to overstretch and could make it difficult to operate the committee system.

The decision means that ministers may have to break the constituency link between MPs and MSPs - known as coterminousity.

A new commission is to be established to examine the effects of this change, Liddell said.

It will draw up proposals which could see a radical shake-up in the Scottish political landscape.

"I also take very seriously the concerns about the operation of different boundaries for Westminster and for Holyrood," said Liddell.

"I propose therefore that an independent commission should be established to examine and make recommendations on issues caused by having different boundaries for Westminster and Holyrood constituencies."

Liddell's announcement also led to renewed calls for a delay in the Westminster cull from Labour MPs.

Several MPs from north of the border, including chancellor Gordon Brown and Liddell herself, stand to lose their seats in the process.

Whilst Brown has cut a deal with a neighbouring MP, Liddell is facing a bitter battle with Labour chairman John Reid in the central belt.

Other prominent MPs, including the Labour left-winger George Galloway, also stand to lose their parliament bolt-holes as the size of the Scottish parliamentary constituencies are brought into line with England and Wales.

Liddell also defended the Scottish parliament amid criticism that it is failing to deliver for the Scottish people.

"This announcement acknowledges the fact that, as it approaches the end of its first term, the Scottish parliament is a hard working and effective institution which is committed to serving the needs of the Scottish people; it underpins the stability and success of the constitutional settlement in Scotland which has strengthened the United Kingdom," she said.