Jack McConnell: Personal statement

Mr McConnell and his wife addressed the media

Here is the full text of Scottish leader-elect Jack McConnell's statement on his extra-marital affair.

"I am very pleased to be informed this morning that I have the support of a majority of my fellow Labour MSPs for my nomination to be First Minister of Scotland.

I want to be First Minister because I am proud of Scotland's new parliament and I also believe that leading our team in that Scottish Parliament, I can make a difference.

Because I am standing to be First Minister of Scotland though, I want to be clear about one aspect of my past.

It's been an open secret for seven years.

At the time I made mistakes, including denying the facts publicly and privately. I let everybody down

It caused significant hurt to a number of people and I regret that very much to this day.

If I become First Minister, it would be very wrong for my family or anybody else to suffer because my behaviour then is still a secret today.

That is why we are now being open about the fact that I did have an affair seven years ago.

At the time I made mistakes, including denying the facts publicly and privately. I let everybody down.

I love my family very much and I have always tried to keep our private life private.

I hope after our statements today you, the Scottish media, will respect their privacy too and also ensure the election of a new First Minister is about policies and leadership for the future of Scotland."