Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont is to quit.
Lamont's decision, confirmed tonight, comes after sustained fire internally over her leadership of the party during and after the independence referendum campaign.
She is expected to formally make the announcement at a meeting of the party tomorrow.
Ms Lamont told a newspaper she was proud of what the party had achieved. She added: "I am standing down so that the debate our country demands can take place," she told the newspaper. "I firmly believe that Scotland's place is in the UK and I do not believe in powers for power's sake. "For example, I think power should be devolved from Holyrood to communities. But colleagues need to realise that the focus of Scottish politics is now Holyrood, not Westminster."
Lamont has been dogged by poor personal poll ratings and been criticised over her positioning of the party post-referendum, as former Prime Minister Gordon Brown has taken a key role in ensuring Ed Miliband, David Cameron and Nick Clegg stick to their promises to voters of more Home Rule powers.
The party has also suffered the blow of two of its biggest heartlands, Glasgow, and North Lanarkshire, both voting Yes to independence in the poll.
It means two of the biggest political parties in Scotland, will have new leaders within weeks - with Nicola Sturgeon due to take over from First Minister and SNP leader Alex Salmond next month.
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