Former UK Labour Party leader Neil Kinnock is backing Jim Murphy to lead the movement in Scotland.
Looking to the general election, the peer said the party had a “massive fight on its hands” but urged members to support the East Renfrewshire MP because he has “the humility, vision and dynamism to give fresh strength”.
Lord Kinnock, who led Labour between 1983-1992, claimed Mr Murphy also had “humanity and deep understanding of real life to reconnect with and convince voters.”
The former MP’s support comes as Scottish Labour members gather at the Park Inn Hotel on Justice Mill Lane, Aberdeen tonight to grill politicians seeking to take over the party leadership.
Mr Murphy, a former Scottish secretary of state, is competing against Lothians MSPs Neil Findlay and Sarah Boyack.
Lothains MSP Kezia Dugdale and Katy Clark, MP for North Ayrshire and Arran, are contesting the deputy leadership.
Two recent opinion polls suggested that Scottish Labour could lose most of its 40 seats in the next year’s general election to the SNP, which has seen its membership soar to more than 90,000 since its independence referendum defeat in September.
But Lord Kinnock, a Welshman, said he believed Mr Murphy has what it takes to “re-capture the support of the Scottish people.”
In an e-mail to party members, the peer said: “I’ve known Jim Murphy for almost twenty years and his passion in standing up for Labour values and for Scotland has impressed me.
“I believe he has the humility, vision and dynamism to give fresh strength to Labour and the humanity and deep understanding of real life to reconnect with and convince voters.”
Lord Kinnock said Mr Murphy, as Scottish Secretary, stood up to the SNP and showed “real grit” during the referendum campaign.
“Labour in Scotland plainly has a massive fight on its hands,” he added.
“You need a leader with real presence and boldness and I am certain, from everything I’ve seen, that Jim has what it takes to lead you and to speak up for your convictions and concerns in ways that re-capture the support of the Scottish people.”
Mr Murphy said Lord Kinnock was a “towering figure” in the Labour Party and welcomed his support.