Scottish parliament building chief quits

The head of the project to build the new Scottish Parliament has handed in his resignation.

Holyrood project director Alan Ezzi, who took over the running of the project last November, is leaving on Friday.

A Scottish Parliament spokesman gave no explanation but said "mutual expectations have not been fully realised".

A statement added: "The pressures on this post are considerable and increasing. Despite this, Mr Ezzi has maintained progress on a number of fronts.

"Mutual expectations have not been fully realised and, having reflected on the current position and looking ahead to project completion, the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body has accepted Mr Ezzi's resignation on agreed terms."

Mr Ezzi took over the running of the project to build the new Scottish Parliament on November 13 last year.

The Holyrood Progress Group has appointed Sarah Davidson, who has been involved with the project at a senior level for more than a year, as Mr Ezzi's replacement.

It is the latest setback to the project, the cost of which could exceed £234m.