Jim Murphy is new Scottish Labour leader

Jim Murphy has won the contest to become Scottish Labour’s new leader.

The East Renfrewshire MP succeeds Johann Lamont MSP, who stood down in the aftermath of the Scottish independence referendum.

Speaking after the announcement was made in Glasgow, Mr Murphy said it was “a remarkable honour”.

He said that his election was “a fresh start for the Scottish Labour Party”.

He said that his, and the party’s “driving purpose” was to end inequality.

He won more than half of the vote in the party’s electoral college system, triumphing over rivals, Sarah Boyack and Neil Findlay.

The Lothian MSP Kezia Dugdale was also named deputy leader over Ayrshire and Arran MP Katy Clark.