MSP Jackie Baillie has been sacked by her Labour boss, it has been announced.

In a surprise shadow bench reshuffle, the Dumbarton representative was removed from the economy portfolio.

Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard also dumped his former rival for the leadership, Anas Sarwar MSP, from the health spokesman role.

BBC Scotland reports Ms Baillie was fired over the phone five minutes before a Labour press release, while Mr Sarwar learned through Twitter while he was mid debate in Holyrood.

A supporter of the two told the BBC the removal was based on "factionalism ahead of competence", adding: "When you're in trouble you don't take your two best players off the pitch".

Ms Baillie said: "I am grateful to have had the opportunity to serve and will continue to be a strong advocate for my constituents - and Labour values. I wish Richard Leonard well for the future."

Mr Sarwar and Ms Baillie have both been critical of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and backed former Scottish Labour chief Kezia Dugdale after their party withdrew funding for her legal defence of a defamation claim.

In a statement, Mr Leonard said: "My new shadow cabinet is a blend of skills and experience whose aim is to turn around Scottish Labour's electoral successes.

"By working together we will take Labour forward. It will give us the best possible chance to win again in Scotland."

On Thursday, Scottish Labour's communications chief, Charlie Mann, also quit after five months.