ALEX Rowley has quit as deputy leader of Scottish Labour.
His resignation came just over a month after he was suspended from the party at Holyrood amid claims about his conduct.
The Fife MSP temporarily stepped aside from his roles as interim and deputy leader after allegations he had sent abusive text messages to a former partner.
Rowley rejected the allegations and said he would work to clear his name.
However, yesterday Rowley said the party's investigations panel had discharged the case but he was disappointed he did not have the opportunity to respond.
Rowley said he had now decided to permanently quit the role he was elected to in August 2015.
He said he had quit for the sake of his family.
In a statement released yesterday, Rowley said: "Today, I have informed Richard Leonard that I do not intend to resume the role of deputy leader of the Scottish Labour Party.
"I am pleased the panel has discharged the case which I referred to them, but I am disappointed that they were unable fully to investigate - and I to have the opportunity to answer - the allegations, which relate to the acrimonious end to a relationship nearly five years ago.
"This means the only opportunity to do so would have been through the media and I am not prepared to cause that distress to my family."
He added that he would continue to serve as a Labour MSP.
Shadow Scottish Secretary Lesley Laird succeeds Rowley as deputy leader on a temporary basis.
Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard confirmed the decision.
Leonard said: "I have asked Lesley Laird to assume the position on an interim basis."
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