RICHARD LEONARD has been elected leader of the Scottish Labour Party.
The result was announced just after 11am at an event in Glasgow.
Left-wing Central Scotland MSP Leonard beat party health spokesman and Glasgow MSP Anas Sarwar to the top job.
Mr Leonard won with 56.7% of the vote, compared to opponent Mr Sarwar’s 43.3%.
The leadership contest was sparked by the shock resignation of Kezia Dugdale in August.
Mr Leonard will be the seventh Scottish Labour leader in ten years.
During the contest, Mr Sarwar came under close scrutiny for working practices at his family’s firm while supporters of both candidates raised concerns over the sign-up process for those eligible to vote, with accusations of unfair tactics on both sides.
The victor takes over the helm at a tumultuous time for the party following the suspension of Alex Rowley as a member of the Scottish Labour Parliamentary group on Wednesday.
Mr Rowley had already stepped down as interim and deputy leader after allegations about his conduct emerged.
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