THE chairwoman of the Labour-linked Scottish Co-operative Party has resigned after speaking out in favour of independence.

Mary Lockhart will step down today when a statement is expected to be published on the party's website, a Co-op Party source said. It is understood the Labour stalwart and former European election candidate was dismayed to find herself at the centre of a political row after voicing her personal views in a Sunday paper last week.

In it she said she would vote Yes because it would "deliver the chance for socialists to help shape a Scotland which reflects the identity of its people".