SCOTTISH Labour is to begin yet another internal contest following Alex Rowley’s resignation as deputy leader.

Members of the party’s executive committee will meet next month to discuss the process of electing his successor – just two months after the end of a bitter race that saw Richard Leonard beat Anas Sarwar to become leader.

An all-female line-up of candidates for the job of deputy is likely, following criticism that no women put themselves forward to succeed Kezia Dugdale following her sudden decision to quit in August.

Central Scotland MSP Monica Lennon, a close ally of Leonard, is likely to be a contender for the deputy post, as is Glasgow MSP Pauline McNeill, who backed Sarwar for the top job.

Rhea Wolfson, an ally of UK leader Jeremy Corbyn and an organiser for Momentum, the grassroots body that helped spearhead his leadership campaigns, is a third possible candidate.

Wolfson is a member UK Labour’s national executive committee, and stood as a candidate for the Livingston seat in the June General Election but was defeated by the SNP’s Hannah Bardell.

Rowley announced his resignation on Saturday as it emerged he had regained the Labour whip after an investigation into allegations of harassment made against him was formally discharged.

The MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife said he was disappointed the panel was unable to fully investigate the claims made against him by a former partner, and that he did not have the chance to answer them. Rowley said he had informed Leonard of his intentions to give up the role.

“I am pleased the panel has discharged the case which I referred to them, but I am disappointed that they were unable fully to investigate – and I to have the opportunity to answer – the allegations, which relate to the acrimonious end to a relationship nearly five years ago,” he said.

“This means the only opportunity to do so would have been through the media, and I am not prepared to cause that distress to my family. I am in politics to fight for social, political and economic change to improve the lives of working people. I will continue that work as a Labour MSP for the region of Mid Scotland and Fife.”

Leonard said he had asked Lesley Laird MP to take on the role in the immediate term.

He said: “Following on from Alex Rowley’s decision to resign from the position of deputy leader of the Scottish Labour Party, I have asked Lesley Laird to assume the position on an interim basis.

“I have spoken to Alex and for the sake of his family he has decided to step down from this important role.

“He informs me it is a decision he made some time ago. He is a loyal and experienced member of the Labour group in the Scottish Parliament and will continue to play a part in rebuilding the Labour Party in Scotland.”

Lennon is currently shadow inequalities minister, while McNeill is shadow housing and social justice minister. Leonard was elected as leader on November 18 but has yet to unveil his new shadow team. There had been speculation he was waiting for Rowley to return before finalising his plans.

A Scottish Labour spokesman said: “Richard has been speaking to all members of the group to see how the team at Holyrood can work most effectively, and will announce a new shadow cabinet in due course.”

The process for the deputy leadership will be discussed at the next meeting of the Scottish Executive Committee in January.