FORMER Prime Minister Gordon Brown has backed Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie in her bid to become the deputy leader of Scottish Labour.

Voting took place on February 24 to see who would become Scottish Labour's number 2, with candidate Ms Baillie the only Labour MSP to have won her seat in every election since devolution.

Mr Brown said: "“I have supported Jackie Baillie on the five occasions she has been elected and served the people with great distinction as Member of the Scottish Parliament for Dumbarton.

“As the one MSP standing for deputy leader of the Labour Party in Scotland, Jackie has a positive plan for getting Scottish Labour back into power in 2021 that focuses on the NHS, schools and quality jobs and she supports the Scottish and UK constitutional changes we want to see.

“Jackie has proved that she is Labour to the core.”

Dumbarton and Vale of Leven Reporter: Jackie Baillie says the poor are suffering

Ms Baillie added: "Gordon knows better than anyone what Labour can achieve when it rebuilds and wins power, and I’m honoured to have his support.

“We need to change to win. That’s why I have put myself forward to be deputy leader: to help unite the party and make the changes we need.

“We cannot carry on with business as usual – we need change now.

“As Scottish Labour members across Scotland receive their ballots, I’m asking to serve as deputy leader so I can work with everyone in our movement to rebuild and fight our way back to power. It is only in power that we can deliver our Labour values.”

Ms Baillie is already backed by 60 per cent of local parties and councillors - alongside 92 per cent of parliamentarians, and is competing against Glasgow councillor Matt Kerr – but he faces disciplinary action from the party after refusing to back any party’s council budget proposals - including his own.