Labour Leader Ballot Due To Close

The ballot to elect the next leader and deputy leader of the Scottish Labour Party will close at midday.

East Renfrewshire MP Jim Murphy and Lothian MSPs Neil Findlay and Sarah Boyack are competing for the leadership position vacated by Johann Lamont in October.

She resigned from the post accusing Westminster colleagues of treating the party in Scotland like a branch office''.

All three candidates have been taking part in a series of hustings across Scotland since the ballot opened on November 17.

Party members have also had an opportunity to question the candidates for the deputy leadership, North Ayrshire and Arran MP Katy Clark and Lothian MSP Kezia Dugdale.

The new leader and deputy leader will be announced on Saturday.