The race to become the next Scottish Labour leader has narrowed with left-wing MSPs Alex Rowley and Neil Findlay both indicating they will not stand for election to replace Kezia Dugdale.
Mr Rowley said he has "no ambition to be the First Minister of Scotland" while Mr Findlay, a close ally of Jeremy Corbyn, said he has no intention of standing to replace Ms Dugdale who announced her resignation on Tuesday night.
Former deputy leader Anas Sarwar is reportedly considering a shot at the leadership, while Richard Leonard is also being touted as a possible frontrunner.
MSP Monica Lennon has also ruled herself out.
Mr Rowley said: “I absolutely respect Kezia’s decision, and party members will be the same.
“I think the Labour Party is much stronger. We’re more united than we were when Kez took over as leader, and therefore we owe a great debt of gratitude for everything that she has done.
“My view is that whoever becomes the next leader of the Labour Party should be focussed on ensuring that they become the next first minister of Scotland, I am absolutely clear on that I think we can do that.
“I have no ambition to be the first minister of Scotland.
“It is never something that I have seen myself doing, so I have no intention of running for leader because whoever is in that job, their focus should be becoming the next first minister.
“I am happy to continue with the work that I am doing, working in the party, building the Labour movement from the grassroots up, that is where my focus has been.
“I am much more comfortable doing that than I would be trying to be the first minister.”
Mr Findlay said: “I will not be putting put my name forward in this election. I wish Kezia and those who may seek to succeed her the very best for the future and I look forward to Parliament returning next week so I can work with my colleagues to hold the SNP to account for their appalling mishandling of our public services, expose the Tories for their shambolic handling of the Brexit process and work towards returning Labour government’s at Holyrood and Westminster that works for the many not the few”
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