One of Kezia Dugdale’s closest allies has declared her support for Yvette Cooper as the divisions within Scottish Labour over the UK leadership race deepened.
Jenny Marra was named this week as Scottish Labour’s equalities spokeswoman, the key frontbench role in Ms Dugdale’s team. Ms Marra said: “While I am impressed by Jeremy Corbyn’s energetic campaign, I decided to give my first preference to Yvette Cooper.”
Ian Murray, Scotland’s only Labour MP, is also backing Ms Cooper.
Neil Findlay, who was defeated by Jim Murphy in last year’s Scottish Labour leadership contest, is Mr Corbyn’s campaign manager in Scotland. He is also part of Ms Marra’s equalities team.
Ms Dugdale has decided not to endorse any candidate at this stage. However, before becoming leader she was critical of Mr Corbyn, warning that his election would leave the party “carping on the sidelines”. Since then she has mellowed her position.