The SNP has replaced Labour as the most divided political party in the country, Anas Sarwar has claimed.
Nationalists have been rocked after the home belonging to Nicola Sturgeon and former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell was searched by police investigating the party's finances.
It followed a bitter leadership contest which saw Humza Yousaf last month narrowly defeat Kate Forbes to become the new First Minister.
The SNP has also been forced to deny it faces a financial crisis ahead of a possible Westminster by-election in Rutherglen and Hamilton West.
Sarwar, the Scottish Labour leader, campaigned today in the Glasgow Pollok constituency represented by Yousaf and insisted his party was ready to fight any election.
"People can now see we are a changed Labour party that is determined to deliver change for our country and is now serious about winning elections again," he told reporters.
"I think we have come a long way. People used to view Labour as the most divided party in Scotland. I think it's now clear that is the SNP."
Asked if he would stand in the Glasgow Southside constituency if Nicola Sturgeon decided to quit politics, Sarwar added: "The only by-election I'm focusing on is the Rutherglen and Hamilton West one because there is clearly the potential for a recall petition and a realistic hope of a by-election.
"Labour is determined to give that local community an MP that is on their side and to demonstrate we are making progress and ready to fight a general election."
A by-election in Rutherglen could be called if sitting MP Margaret Ferrier is suspended by Commons authorities for 30 days as a result of her previously breaking covid travel rules.
Ferrier lost the SNP whip but has stubbornly refused to resign her seat despite calls from across the parties.
Labour views Rutherglen as a key target seat and has been campaigning in the area for three weeks despite a possible by-election still being months away.
But the party has still not selected a candidate to fight the constituency.
Sarwar insisted that local Labour members "will have the ultimate say" on who stands for the party in the area.
He added: "We have a process which we go through, and due diligence, but local members will have the ultimate say.
"We are talking weeks. We are really keen to get more clarity on what the timescale is for any possible recall petition and any potential by-election.
"I think there is still plenty of anger and frustration and people realising they have a local MP who broke the law and hasn't been fighting their corner at a time they need a local champion."
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