'Reid should lead Scottish Labour'

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The SNP's victory over Labour at the Holyrood elections has led to mounting speculation that Jack McConnell - who is still Scotland's First Minister until a successor is elected - will face a leadership challenge.

Scottish health minister Andy Kerr, the minister for parliament Margaret Curran and backbencher Wendy Alexander have all been touted as possible candidates.

Mr Reid announced last week he would leave the Cabinet after Prime Minister Tony Blair leaves office in June.

Labour MP Brian Donohoe suggested that John Reid could come to Scotland to lead the party after he stands down as Home Secretary.

The Central Ayrshire MP said: "He (John Reid) said he had had nine jobs in 10 years - maybe this should be his 10th job."

He added there should a by-election in one of the party's Holyrood seats, which Mr Reid could then contest. Once elected as an MSP, he could then become the party leader.

However a spokeswoman for the Labour Party dismissed talk of a leadership challenge, saying there was no vacancy. And she insisted the party was united behind Jack McConnell.

The spokeswoman said: "There is no leadership contest because there is no vacancy."

With the SNP now likely to form a minority administration at Holyrood, the spokeswoman added Labour MSPs were now focusing on providing an effective opposition to the Nationalists. She said: "There is a job to do and the group are behind Jack."