Labour MSP quits frontbench post

Cathy Jamieson will stand in the next General Election

A senior figure is to quit Labour's Holyrood frontbench after deciding to stand for a Westminster seat, it has been announced by the party.

Cathy Jamieson will stand down after deciding to seek the Labour nomination for the Kilmarnock and Loudon seat.

The seat is currently held by former Defence Secretary Des Browne, who is standing down at the next election.

Ms Jamieson is a former justice minister who was deputy leader of Labour in the Scottish Parliament.

She was also health spokeswoman for the party until October.

A reshuffle saw her replaced in that role by Jackie Baillie, while Ms Jamieson moved to the housing and regeneration portfolio.

The latest change was announced by Labour leader Iain Gray, who said the gap created by her departure would be filled by Mary Mulligan, who is already the housing spokeswoman, and by deputy Labour leader Johann Lamont, who is the equalities spokeswoman.

Meanwhile, Ms Lamont will step down from her chief of staff role, which will be filled by Paul Martin.