Scottish leader quits in cash row

McLeish insisted he made an "honest mistake, not a fiddle"

EDINBURGH, Scotland -- Scotland's First Minister Henry McLeish has resigned following a row over cash he failed to declare for sub-letting an office.

He quit before a debate called by his Conservative and Scottish Nationalist opponents over the financing of his constituency office.

The news was given to the Scottish Parliament by the parliament minister Tom McCabe, who said: "I would like to inform the chamber that the First Minister has this morning written to Her Majesty the Queen and yourself (Presiding Office Sir David Steel) indicating he intends to tender his resignation."

The controversy centres on the finances of McLeish's Central Fife constituency during his time as member of the UK parliament.

McLeish said he made an "honest mistake" in not declaring £36,000 ($52,000) income received from subletting part of the office to five tenants from 1987 to this year.

He said last week he was repaying £9,000 ($13,000) to the House of Commons fees office and has said he is willing to pay back all the money.

He insisted the affair had been "a muddle, not a fiddle."

But the opposition Conservatives and Scottish National Party said he should resign, accusing him of failing to observe the spirit of principles of openness and accountability.