SCOTTISH Labour was plunged into chaos after interim leader Alex Rowley was suspended from the party amid accusations of stalking and bullying an ex-girlfriend.

Rowley refuted the allegations and promised to “take all steps” to clear his name. 

In the morning, shortly after the story appeared in the Sun, he announced he would step down as both deputy leader, and from his position as stand-in-leader.

At that point Scottish Labour seemed happy enough to let him remain in the party, but just after 5pm last night, after much criticism from their own members, they finally kicked him out.

His old boss, Kezia Dugdale, said straight away had she still been in charge, the Fife MSP would have had the whip removed.

Anas Sarwar agreed, and called for Rowley to be kicked out the party while the allegations were probed.

But Richard Leonard, whose campaign for the leadership is being managed by Rowley’s MP daughter Danielle, initially only called for an investigation. 

Later, he went further, calling for the veteran left-winger to be thrown out of the party.

Dugdale said the allegations were “serious and deeply concerning”.

She said: “I commend the bravery of all the women who have come forward with allegations against those in positions of power, and we owe them answers.

“Had I remained in the position of leader of the Scottish Labour Party, I would not have hesitated to suspend Alex Rowley from the party while these allegations are fully investigated.

“Given the evidence published today, the right course of action for the Labour Party to take would be suspension.

“Sexual harassment and abuse is never acceptable. If the past weeks have taught us anything, it is that we need to support victims of abuse and every allegation needs to be taken seriously, and investigated in a fair and transparent way.”

In a statement, Sarwar said: “These allegations are distressing and deeply concerning.

“It is right and proper that Alex has referred himself to the party’s internal complaints procedure.

“The party has clear procedures, and given the seriousness of these allegations it would be appropriate for Alex to be suspended from the party while a robust, fair and thorough investigation is carried out."

Leonard said: “In the light of the news stories about Alex Rowley and his self-referral to the party, my view is that the appropriate action now is that there should be a suspension of Alex Rowley whilst the matter is investigated."

Announcing the suspension, Scottish Labour's Business Manager James Kelly said: “It is important that the investigation into these allegations is fair and transparent, and the matter will be thoroughly investigated using the Labour Party’s internal complaints procedure.

“However, in light of the serious nature of the allegations, Labour at Holyrood has taken the decision to remove the whip from Alex Rowley for the period of this investigation.”

Rowley has been acting leader of Scottish Labour since August, when Dugdale unexpectedly quit.

However, he’s been off for the last two weeks, blaming a chest infection.

The former partner, who has remained anonymous, spoke with the Sun and said Rowley had destroyed her life.

The accusations of abuse range from threatening text messages to stealing her underwear. 

She claims Rowley was controlling and possesive, showing up at her house without warning, angry that she had had a male tradesman in to do some work.

Rowley denies the allegations and, in a statement, said: "I totally refute these allegations and will take all steps necessary to clear my name.

"These allegations must be properly and thoroughly investigated in line with our party's procedures - and I will refer myself to the party so such an investigation can take place.

"While that investigation is carried out, I will step aside as deputy leader, as well as Interim Leader, of the Scottish Labour party."