Scottish Labour MSPs have publicly clashed after the party's interim leader was secretly recorded backing one of the candidates in the leadership contest.

Alex Rowley, who pledged to be neutral in the election, was recorded by the Scottish Sun saying he is backing Richard Leonard.

In the recording, which was made at the UK Labour conference, Rowley also talks about being part of a group of MSPs who had previously agreed to back Leonard to replace Kezia Dugdale before she resigned.

The interim leader was recorded saying: "Although I'm neutral in the leadership I also believe that Richard Leonard has everything that we need to win in 2021. I really do."

He added: "But you know, any private discussions we were having, we were very clear that [inaudible] we didn't think it would happen before 2021.

"We, privately, we didn't believe Kezia would be there in 2021. But not right now. It came as a surprise to us. So our view was that Richard was the best person and therefore we should go with that plan."

Supporters of Anas Sarwar, the other contender to replace Dugdale, have reacted angrily to the publication.

Jackie Baillie said Rowley is guilty of "hypocrisy" and "it will infuriate members to learn that some MSPs were working behind the scenes to undermine her [Dugdale] and replace her with Richard Leonard".

"Richard must urgently answer questions about his role in this plot," she added.

Fellow Sarwar-supporting MSP Daniel Johnson tweeted: "Admission of a plot is shocking and unacceptable.

"Richard must clarify his role and involvement."

Neil Findlay MSP, who supports Leonard, said Bailie was "barrel scraping".