Jim Murphy calls for unity within Scottish Labour

SCOTTISH Labour leadership frontrunner Jim Murphy appealed for unity within the party whoever wins the three-way contest as voting in the election to succeed Johann Lamont closed yesterday.

Scottish Labour leadership contender Jim Murphy wants to ensure that the party will support whoever wins the contest. Picture: John Devlin

Mr Murphy, a former Scottish Secretary, said that whoever wins when the result is announced on Saturday “must have the support of everybody in our movement”.

The East Renfrewshire MP said the contest had been a “good advert” for Labour and praised the contributions of his two rivals, shadow health secretary Neil Findlay and former transport minister Sarah Boyack.

He said: “What we need now in the Scottish Labour Party is unity. The divisions of the past must remain there. Whoever is elected leader must have the support of everybody in our movement. Unity is part of our strength.”