ANAS Sarwar has maintained that he believes the House of Lords should be abolished, despite now holding a seat in the chamber.
It comes after Sarwar made various calls in previous campaigns for the house to be abolished and replaced with a democratically elected chamber.
In 2022 he said that the Lords holding significant power over legislation is “unacceptable” and should be replaced with something “more reflective of modern Britain”.
Asked by BBC Scotland, following an appearance at the Edinburgh Fringe, if he still believes it is "unacceptable", he said he has "always said that there should be a senate of the nations and regions. I still have that view."
He said he took the "opportunity" to sit in the Lords and take on the role of a Trade Minister in order to "make sure this Labour government is a success and we do everything we can to make sure that Nigel Farage doesn't become prime minister of this country".
When pressed further on if he "misled people" by quitting his role as the leader of Scottish Labour to take the seat in the unelected chamber, he said: "My aspiration and ambition was to be First Minister of Scotland, clearly I've failed in that aspiration.
"Now I want to make sure this Labour government is a success and we deliver for people in every part of our great country."
During the Fringe event he said the role of Scottish Labour leader is the hardest in British politics.
“People talk about the hardest job in British politics, and so often I heard people say the hardest job in British politics was being the leader of the UK Labour Party in opposition,” he said.
“Honestly, hand on heart – because I’ve done it for five years – the hardest job in British politics is being the leader of the Scottish Labour Party.
“And for so many reasons, it is the hardest job in the world.”
Three MSPs are hoping to replace Sarwar: Michael Marra, Joe Fagan and Monica Lennon, with Lennon yet to secure enough support to get on the ballot of members.
While he declined to endorse a candidate, Sarwar warned the contenders and their teams against infighting as the race becomes more embittered.
“I think genuinely the three people who are standing, I’ve got a lot of time for,” he said.
“I think they are able, talented individuals.
“The only (thing) that I would say to all three of them and to all 17 MSPs is your relationship with each other, your ability to work with each other and to look out for each other is going to be crucial.
“So, yes, go through a full leadership election, but think about what happens the day after it, not just what happens during it.”
