LABOUR'S finance spokesman Ken Macintosh was dropped in Johann Lamont's reshuffle because he dared to criticise her infamous speech about Scotland's "something for nothing" culture, a senior party source has claimed.

The speech, and particularly the line that "Scotland cannot be the only something-for-nothing country in the world" enraged many within the party.

Eastwood MP Macintosh, who stood against Lamont for the party leadership in 2011, was replaced in the reshuffle by former Labour leader Iain Gray.

After his exit, Macintosh said he had huge admiration for Lamont but also "disagreements" with her over the party's direction.

It is understood Macintosh was offered a demoted position, but declined.

A Labour spokesman said: "The shadow cabinet has always been a place for frank and robust discussion and this will continue to be the case now new members have been brought in."