IAN Murray has released a statement after he was sacked as Scottish secretary.
Murray had been in the role since the July 2024 General Election, and is Scottish Labour's longest serving MP.
He was Scottish Labour's only MP after the 2015 election saw Labour lose 40 out of its 41 seats to the SNP.
While Scottish Labour increased its MPs to seven in 2017, Murray again became the party's sole Westminster MP in 2019, and twice served as shadow Scottish decretary. First, under Corbyn before he quit, and then under Keir Starmer.
Murray also campaigned against Scottish independence and won the backing of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown during an unsuccessful bid for the Labour deputy leadership in 2020.
It is understood that Murray was told he had been sacked as Secretary of State over the phone. The Scottish Sun reports that he was seen at Edinburgh Airport, en route to London, drafting his statement.
Responding to his sacking, Murray twice referenced his time as the party's only Scottish MP.
The Edinburgh South MP said: "After many years as the sole Scottish Labour MP it was a privilege to play a pivotal role in bringing Labour back to power in Westminster and the honour of my life to be asked by the Prime Minister to serve as the first Labour Secretary of State for Scotland in 14 years.
"Over the past year I have worked tirelessly with my wonderful political and civil service team at the Scotland Office, to put Scotland at the heart of this UK Government.
"Together, we have already delivered so much for Scotland."
Murray said he was "proud" of his achievements in office, such as the £10bn frigate deal with Norway, and GB Energy.
"After the dreadful legacy from the previous government, there is a lot more to work to do and I will continue to make sure more jobs and opportunities come to Scotland from the backbenches, from where Keir Starmer and the government will have my full support," he added.
"I will remain as impatient for change as the public. Politics in the UK, and elsewhere, now is at a dangerous crossroads.
"It is the responsibility of us all in public life to make an argument for progressive change that brings prosperity, hope and our communities together, rather than furthering division and despair."
Scottish Labour peer George Foulkes called the decision to sack Murray "disgraceful".
"He held the fort well as shadow secretary through the lean years and has been a brilliant Secretary of State," Foulkes said.
Murray said he would continue "doing all I can" to make sure his "friend" Anas Sarwar becomes the next first minister of Scotland, after "almost two decades of SNP failure".
"Being an MP, particularly a member of the Cabinet, puts an immeasurable strain on family life – something I dearly hope parliament and politics finds a way to resolve.
"I am hugely disappointed to be leaving government, with so much done and so much more to do, but I now look forward to spending a little more time with my wife and two beautiful girls, while continuing to serve the wonderful people of Edinburgh South.
"A huge thank you to my junior minister Kirsty McNeill, my PPS Melanie Ward, and the fantastic team of dedicated civil servants at the Scotland Office, they are the best of the best.
"And a big thank you to everyone we have met, worked with and engaged with over the last year.
"I wish my former Cabinet colleagues, and those now joining, well. Every single one of them are in politics for the right reasons and are good people who I am certain will do great things for our country.
"Lastly, I will forever be proud of having helped deliver 37 Scottish Labour MPs last year. I have always felt a responsibility, having been the sole Scottish Labour MP for so long, to bring on and nurture the next generation of elected politicians and staff.
"I hope that has left a legacy that will thrive in years to come."
Labour peer George Foulkes said the decision to sack Murray was "disgraceful".
"He held the fort well as Shadow Secretary through the lean years and has been a brilliant Secretary of State," he said.
Torcuil Crichton, Scottish Labour MP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, told the Daily Record: "We're all very sorry to see Ian go. He held the Alamo for a decade, always outnumbered, never outgunned, and he led us proudly back into Government."
SNP MP Stephen Gethins, the party's Scotland spokesperson, said: “Ian Murray’s sacking is the latest sign of Labour Party acrimony. It is no wonder they have slumped 20 points behind the SNP in Scotland, when they are fighting like rats in a sack while failing to lift a finger to help families."
He added: “On a personal level, I wish Ian Murray well for the future.”
