Alex Rowley has said he will not stand for the Scottish Labour leadership.
The Fife MSP revealed he does not harbour any ambitions to be the first minister of Scotland.
Mr Rowley has taken on the interim leadership following Kezia Dugdale’s decision to stand down.
The former Fife Council leader said: “I have no ambition to be the first minister of Scotland.
“It’s never something I saw myself doing, so I have no intention in running for leader because, as I say, whoever is in that job their focus should be on becoming first minister.”
He said it would be “wrong to speculate” on who he would like to stand.
His decision not to run follows fellow left-winger Neil Findlay ruling himself out of the contest.
That leaves Richard Leonard as the front-runner to be the pro-Jeremy Corbyn candidate.
Anas Sarwar, the party’s health spokesman and the former deputy leader, is the bookies’ favourite, but has yet to show his hand.
Mr Rowley called for a “good, positive campaign and contest” after dismissing speculation the election could expose divisions in the party.
“It’s not something I recognise,” he said.
“I don’t think there are any wings within the party (trying to) take control of the party.
“I believe the party is far more united now than it was when Kezia Dugdale took it over.
“We are far stronger now and we owe her a great debt of gratitude for all the work that she has done.”
