MP LESLEY LAIRD will consider her position as a Fife councillor after it was confirmed she is to become Scottish Labour's deputy leader.

The Kirkaldy and Cowdenbeath MP was the only nominated candidate for the vacancy when the deadline for nominations closed on Monday.

Ms Laird, also the Shadow Secretary for Scotland, has been heavily criticised by SNP and Conservatives politicians for having "four jobs" and have pressured her to step down from her role as councillor for Inverkeithing and Dalgety Bay.

Ms Laird is expected to be formally confirmed as the party’s deputy leader in the coming days at a meeting of parliamentarians and councillors.

Speaking on her new position, she said: "I’m ready to get on with the job of holding the Tory and SNP governments to account and outlining a positive vision of what a Labour government can do in Scotland and across the UK.

"The SNP’s Cuts Commission shows that only Labour offers the real and radical change that Scots want, with investment in our public services, infrastructure and our people.

"The 2017 General Election saw Labour win seats and slash majorities across Scotland. The next General Election will see Scotland help deliver a Labour government that works for the many, not the few."

Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard said: “Scottish Labour is ready to deliver real change for people across Scotland, with strong teams at Holyrood and Westminster.

“Lesley will be a great voice for our members and our movement, to make the case for the economic and social transformation Scotland so desperately needs."

Douglas Chapman, MP for Dunfermline and West Fife, again called on her to quit the council when responding to the news of her deputy leadership on Tuesday.

He said: "Labour have had '2 Jags Prescott' in the past. Now, in Fife, we’ve got '4 jobs Laird'.

"I know through speaking to my SNP colleagues on the council, she is seldom seen there and I am told she recently turned up at a council meeting to make sure she wasn’t forced to resign due to the council rule about councillors attending at least one council meeting in every six-month period.

“It’s time for her to hang up her council hat and let someone who is really interested in Inverkeithing, North Queensferry, Hillend and Dalgety Bay to be elected in her place as she cannot possibly be doing the job justice if she has so many other priorities. Someone needs to be elected to properly serve and represent her constituents in that council ward.”

He also stressed that Peter Grant MP and himself gave up their council roles following their elections to Westminster which triggered Fife Council by-elections.

Lesley Laird said: "In light of the deputy leadership result, I will be taking up discussions with the local Labour Party regarding my position as a councillor and considering the next steps."