Jeremy Corbyn vowed not to interfere in the operation of the Labour Party in Scotland as he embarked on a drive to win back voters north of the border.
As he got ready to visit Edinburgh and Glasgow, the veteran left-winger stated unequivocally that Kezia Dugdale would be in charge.
He also insisted Scotland needed a Labour government – rather than a Tory one “making people work harder for less” or the SNP “intent on having the arguments of the past”.
During the trip, he will meet the Scottish leader and Labour MSPs at Holyrood, as well as council leaders and party activists.
He will also hold talks with Scottish trade union leaders.
“Under my leadership there will be no question about who is in charge of the Scottish Labour party,” he said.
“Kezia Dugdale is leader of our party in Scotland and I will be working alongside her to win back support for Labour.
“Kez has said that she wants to make absolutely clear what the Labour Party stands for and who we stand with. That is also my mission across the UK.
“Too many people have told me that they think the Labour Party lost its way. We need to win back their trust by showing them exactly what difference a Labour government would make to their lives.
“The stakes are high for Scotland. People can’t afford a Tory government whose policies are making people work harder for less or an SNP government that is intent on having the arguments of the past rather than looking to the future.
“It’s time for a Labour government that would put our young people first and make sure that we are narrowing the gap between the richest and the rest.”