Labour MSP Glasgow Pauline McNeil has pulled out of the race to become Scottish Labour's deputy leader. 

She had originally hoped to be able to make a joint bid for the post with MSP for Dumbarton Jackie Baillie. 

Ms McNeil announced her candidacy last week after a bid to share the position was ruled out by Labour Party chiefs. 

She withdrew from the contest as there would be "little scope for a voice in the middle" despite receiving enough nominations to stand.

Ms Baillie and Cardonald councillor Matt Kerr are now the only remaining candidates to succeed Lesley Laird - who lost her seat as an MP in last month's election - in the role.

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In a statement released on Monday, Ms McNeil said she would instead be focusing her energy on engaging with people across the country and her constituents in Glasgow. 

"After talking to people and reflecting on the final ballot my sense is that the contest will be acutely polarised within the party and that there is little scope for a voice in the middle of what will be a long contest," she said.

"The party in Scotland must change or die. There has never been a more crucial time for Scottish Labour.

"We must have answers on the way forward for Scotland's future. We must offer a credible alternative vision for Scotland."

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She added: "In view of the above, I have decided to withdraw my nomination and focus my energies on how to get these issues resolved by engaging with people across the country, tackling the Government on their record and working for my constituents in Glasgow."