First Minister McLeish resigns in expenses row

The Scottish First Minister Henry McLeish has resigned following a row about office expenses.

He had been under pressure from opposition parties in Scotland to stand down, since it emerged he received £36,000 from sub-letting his constituency office in Glenrothes, Fife, during his time as a Westminster MP.

Scots Tory leader, David McLetchie said outside the Scottish Parliament chamber: "Henry McLeish has done the right thing in tendering his resignation. I commend him on that.

"A line has been drawn and we must move on and focus in this Parliament on issues of primary concern to the people of Scotland."

Asked if the Scotland's First Minister had made the right decision, Labour's Parliament Minister Tom McCabe said: "I think he made the right decision for himself."

He had announced the move to the Scottish Parliament at 11am, at the start of a Tory-led debate on the issue.

He said: "I would like to inform the chamber the First Minister has this morning written to Her Majesty the Queen and yourself (Presiding Office David Steel) indicating he intends to tender his resignation."

After the announcement David Steel agreed to suspend business in the chamber.

Mr McLeish is due to make a personal statement later.