Kezia Dugdale has accused the SNP of playing “dirty tricks” after details of her work experience application to an SNP MSP ended up in a national newspaper.
The Scottish Labour leader applied for the role when she was a student but says she has no recollection of doing so.
Ms Dugdale’s opponents say it exposes her as a career politician and further muddies her stance on independence.
The 34-year-old former Lothians MSP suspects the SNP are indulging in underhand tactics.
“I have supposedly applied for work experience not a job 13 years ago in February 2003 and I have absolutely zero recollection of this,” she said.
“I find the whole thing just a complete anathema.
“I don’t where it has come from.”
She added: “I have got this strong sense that this is part of a dirty tricks campaign.”
Richard Lochhead, the Rural Affairs Secretary, was named on theSun’s website as the MSP who received Ms Dugdale’s application.
The Aberdeen-born Labour politician warned the episode could put young people off applying for work experience if they feel it “might bite them 10-15 years further down the line”.
It has been a tough week for the former Lothians MSP after she was criticised by anonymous sources within her party for her seemingly wavering commitment to the Union, the dropped £100 tax rebate and speaking out against the named persons policy when she voted for it.