FORMER first minister Jack McConnell said Labour needs to urgently sort out the authority of its leader in Scotland after Johann Lamont was "fatally undermined" by Ed Miliband.

Lord McConnell, who was Labour first minister from 2001 to 2007, told the Sunday Herald he was "astonished" by Johann Lamont's resignation. He said he was angry that the issue of the authority of the leader of Scottish Labour remained "unresolved", despite it also having been a "difficulty" for him while he was party leader.

Lamont was given more power than previous Scottish Labour leaders when she was elected three years ago, and McConnell said he believed the authority of the leader of Scottish Labour over the party organisation in Scotland had been resolved at that point. But he added: "It is quite clear from what Johann has said that the issue remains unresolved, and in fact she has been fatally undermined by Ed Miliband and others who have taken action on the organisation without her involvement.

"I am very angry about this but I am also very strongly of the view that we need to resolve this situation and be absolutely clear that the next Scottish Labour Leader has authority over the party organisation in Scotland. It cannot be undermined and we need to do that before we elect the next leader."

McConnell said the resignation had been a surprise to him and answers were needed from Miliband over what had happened,

Following the news of Lamont standing down, he tweeted: "This is a truly astonishing development. Johann leaves with head held high. Outrageous treatment of Scottish Labour Party Leader."

He also criticised Scottish Labour for failing to articulate its visions and values over recent years. However, he added: "But even if we have the right vision and values and person in place, for that person to succeed and become First Minister they have to have authority over the party organisation."

McConnell, who held office while Tony Blair was prime minister, said did he not stand for any interference in policy while he was first minister.

But he added: "Even then, there was an issue about constitutional authority in the party in Scotland.

"It was understood that issue which had been a difficulty for me - and then became a difficulty for all of my successors - had been resolved three years ago in advance of Johann becoming party leader. It is now clear that is not the case."

He declined to give any examples of the difficulties he had encountered, saying he would rather focus on the issues surrounding Lamont's resignation.

McConnell said three actions were needed for the Labour party to go forward in Scotland, the first of which was to resolve the issue of the authority of the leader.

"We also need to have an open debate where different perspectives are welcomed, that seeks to articulate our visions and values for a more successful and a fairer Scotland in the 21st century," he said. "Thirdly, we need to elect the right person to carry that vision to the people and become first minister."

McConnell said: "I would be delighted if there were three or four candidates who all had a clear vision for Scotland and were ambitious for Scotland and wanted to outline clearly why they want to be first minister. We can then have a proper choice after a strong debate about what we stand for."

He added: "I am very confident that if we resolve the authority and we clarify our vision and our values for the 21st century, and we elect the right person to take that forward, then we can be very successful in the years ahead."