DUMBARTON MSP Jackie Baillie has decided to end all campaigning as Scottish Labour deputy leader candidate as a result of the escalating coronavirus outbreak.

Ms Baillie said: “I have decided to suspend all campaigning by my team for the rest of the Scottish Labour Deputy Leadership campaign.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has presented our country with an unprecedented and formidable challenge. We must put Party politics to one side in order to fight this together.

"I am using my position as an MSP to ensure that businesses, communities and people across Scotland receive the help and support that they need.

“Thank you to those who have voted for me, I am truly humbled by the support that I have received, but my judgement is that all of my focus should be on the coronavirus pandemic and nothing else should distract from that."