Gray: Suggested MPs from Westminster should occupy Scottish parliament

The shadow Scotland secretary has resigned after making ill-judged comments about the composition of the Holyrood parliament.

James Gray was forced to step down after he suggested that MSPs should be scrapped so that Westminster MPs can occupy the Scottish legislature.

In a letter to the Michael Howard, Gray, who represents an English constituency, he said he fully supported the party's policy on devolution.

"I understand that the words I used in recent interviews might be open to misinterpretation," he said.

"I would not want there to be any misunderstanding, and I have no wish to embarrass the party in Scotland, or you.

"For this reason, I believe the right course is for me to resign."

The move came after SNP group whip Pete Wishart tabled a Commons motion attacking Gray's remarks.

"The Tories just can't help themselves - they are anti-Scottish to the core," he said.

"These outrageous comments by the shadow Scottish Secretary could normally be dismissed, but this is the man chosen by Michael Howard to represent the Tories on Scottish issues in the House of Commons. Is this a sign of official thinking in the shadow Cabinet?

"The Tories need to decide who speaks for them on Scottish policy and where the power over Scottish policy lies."