A Scottish trust chair has resigned, allegedly in protest at planned service cuts.

Lord Ewing of Kirkford, the former Falkirk East Labour MP who was a junior Scottish Office minister, announced last week that he is to quit as chair of Fife Healthcare trust.

His departure after nearly two years in the top post comes amid claims of his opposition to service changes by Fife health board.

A Journal source said Lord Ewing had been drawn into a row with the board over the changes.

Christine Johnstone, chief officer of Fife local health council, confirmed that Lord Ewing was against the closure of Lynebank Hospital.

Lord Ewing was unavailable for comment. But a trust spokesperson said he would be making a statement at the trust board meeting on 25 February.