Sarwar 'proud' of work with Starmer despite resignation call

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar says he is "proud" of his work with Sir Keir Starmer after the prime minister announced he would resign.

Sarwar was the first major Labour figure to call for Starmer to quit, arguing in February that "too many mistakes" had been made by the UK government.

Newly elected MP Andy Burnham is in pole position to succeed the prime minister after winning the Makerfield by-election.

Responding to Starmer's announcement, Sarwar praised Starmer while calling for Labour to renew its focus on delivering "the change people need".

The MSP credited the prime minister with changing the Labour Party and the UK.

He also highlighted Starmer's integrity and "determination to do what was best for our country".

Sarwar said: "I will always be proud of the work we did together to end 14 years of Tory government, returning 37 Scottish Labour MPs, securing shipbuilding on the Clyde for a generation, ending austerity and lifting half a million children out of poverty.

"That is a legacy that no one can take away from him."

He added: "The Labour Party must quickly return its focus to the purpose it was elected for – to deliver the change people need."

Sarwar had called for the prime minister to resign in the run up to the Holyrood election, aiming to distance Scottish Labour from the unpopular Westminster administration.

He said that Starmer's time in office was "not good enough".

However, cabinet minister rallied around Starmer at the time and Scottish Labour subsequently endured a poor Holyrood election result.

The prime minister confirmed he would remain in office until Labour chooses a new leader, which he said would happen by the time parliament returns from recess in September.

The appointment could happen sooner if the party gets behind one candidate without the need for a contest.

'Broken promises and poor judgement'

First Minister John Swinney said Starmer had made the correct decision.

"It was past time for him to face reality and the fact he now has allows some hope that things can change," he said.

"However, rather than simply a change of personnel, what is needed is a fundamental change of direction. Labour's time in power has been characterised by broken promises, poor judgement and, ultimately, failure."

Swinney said a "fresh start" was possible for Scotland, "but only with independence".

Scottish Green co-leader Gillian Mackay argued there was no reason to believe that Burnham would fare any better as prime minister.

She said: "The problem isn't the person behind the wheel. It is a party that once worked to serve the interests of working people but now serves only the interests of billionaires and their corporate donors."

Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said Starmer would be "remembered as the prime minister of U-turns and broken promises".