Labour MSP Neil Findlay withdraws 'unparliamentary' liar jibe

An MSP who was accused of calling Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon a "liar" has told Holyrood he would "withdraw the remark" attributed him.

In a statement to fellow MSPs, Neil Findlay did not directly apologise.

Instead he said: "At today's FMQs I made a comment which I now understand to be unparliamentary.

"If that is the case then I withdraw the term attributed to me. However, at the same question time session the FM described Labour's support fro a modest tax increase on those earning £20,000 to end the government's austerity as dishonest and goes on to accuse Labour of perpetrating a con trick.

"I therefore withdraw the term attributed to me that the parliament finds unparliamentary and would instead substitute it with the term used by the first minister today."

Presiding officer Tricia Marwick said she had noted what Mr Findlay had said and "would consider the matter further".