LONDON, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Kezia Dugdale has resigned as leader of the Labour Party in Scotland, denying on Wednesday that she was quitting before being pushed out by supporters of Jeremy Corbyn, who leads the party across Britain.
Dugdale said a new leader in Scotland was needed with fresh energy, drive and a new mandate.
Her decision to quit means Labour faces a third leadership contest since the 2014 Scottish independence referendum.
The politician, who serves as a member of the Scottish Parliament representing the Lothian's constituency, succeeded Jim Murphy as Scottish Labour leader in 2015.
Under her leadership Labour won seven Westminster seats in June's snap general election, but remains the third party in Scotland after the Scottish Nationalist Party (SNP) and Conservatives.
In her resignation letter, Dugdale wrote: "I choose to stand down because I believe it is best for me and best for Scottish Labour, at a time when we can be positive and optimistic about our future."
Political commentators in Scotland have described how Dugdale has faced criticism from left-wing party members and had in the past been critical of Corbyn.
Corbyn thanked Dugdale for the important role she played in rebuilding the party in Scotland.
"Kezia (Dugdale) became Scottish leader at one of the most difficult times in the history of the Scottish Labour Party, and the party's revival is now fully under way, with six new MPs and many more to come," he said.