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Shadow Scottish secretary Ian Murray resigns

Shadow Scottish secretary Ian Murray announced his resignation from the shadow cabinet.

Ian Murray said he was resigning from the cabinet with 'regret'. Credit: PA

In a letter addressed to Jeremy Corbyn, he said the leader of the Scottish Labour Party, Kezia Dugdale is doing "an excellent job but needs a strong UK Labour Party to support her".

I believe that we can only win again as a party when the UK Labour Party is able to articulate the case for progressive policies the length and breadth of the United Kingdom. I also believe we can only do that under new leadership.

– Ian Murray

Mr Murray also said he felt the way some of his colleagues have been treated "is unfortunate".

"I will therefore return to the backbenches to serve my constituents and fight Scotland's corner from there," he added.

Mr Murray joins Heidi Alexander and Gloria De Piero in stepping down in the wake of the EU referendum, while Hilary Benn was sacked.

As the only Labour MP north of the border, means the replacement shadow Scottish secretary will have to be a non-Scottish MP.

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