Alexander quits as Holyrood Labour leader

Wendy Alexander has resigned as leader of the Labour Party in the Scottish Parliament.

The move followed the decision of the Parliament's standards committee to suspend her from Holyrood for one day over her failure to declare donations to her leadership campaign last year.

Alexander, a close ally of Gordon Brown, said it was "with deep regret" that she had decided to step down as she had acted at all times in "good faith".

She said the committee's decision had been based on "partisan" considerations but that she respected parliamentary procedures.

"My pursuers have sought the prize of political victory with little thought to the standing of the Parliament," she said in a statement in Glasgow.

"It is clear that vexatious complaints will continue to dominate the headlines as long as I remain Labour's Scottish Parliamentary leader."

Innocence

But while continuing to protest her innocence, she added that "I judge that this issue has become too much of a distraction" from Labour's work in addressing the "challenges and cares and communities across Scotland" and holding the executive to account.

"I cannot ask Labour supporters in Scotland for their forebearance," she said.

Alexander maintains that she followed the advice given to her at the time on the 10 small donations of around £1,000 each.

And she said that she hopes "the events of recent days will lead to refection" about the "appropriateness and effectiveness" of the Parliament's institutions.

Alexander took over unopposed from former first minister Jack McConnell following Labour's loss of power to the SNP last year.

However her leadership has been dogged by the donations row and a split with the prime minister over her call for an early referendum on Scottish independence.

Progress

In her statement she said that Scottish Labour had made "important progress in renewing the party and reconnecting with voters" during her short tenure.

She said she had led the party with "commitment and conviction, without indulging in the personal attacks that have become so prevalent".

Speaking alongside her, deputy leader Cathy Jamieson praised Alexander for her "integrity".

"She has put the Scottish Parliament and the Labour Party above her personal interests," Jamieson, who will now take over as acting leader, said.

"The pursuers of Wendy Alexander have put partisan interests ahead of the Parliament."