GLASGOW MP Ian Davidson has become the fourth contender for the deputy leadership of the Scottish Labour Party.

Mr Davidson is chairman of the Scottish Affairs Committee at Westminster which is to hold two inquiries into the SNP’s independence referendum and what it would mean for Scotland.

He will be competing for the post against fellow Glasgow MP Anas Sarwar and two MSPs – Elaine Murray who represents Dumfries and Lewis MacDonald, the MSP for North-East Scotland. Mr Davidson, who is noted for his combative style, angered the SNP in a Commons debate earlier this year when he branded them “neo-fascist”.

The election has been caused by the resignation of party leader Iain Gray.