Fury grows at Lamont attacks on Curran and Labour's 'dinosaurs'

But it was her description of some Westminster colleagues as "dinosaurs" for not realising people wanted "home rule not London rule", that sparked a furious response.

One source insisted there was a difference between "Johann's perception and reality". He explained how there was a lack of confidence in her not just from Labour MPs but MSPs, as well as party activists in Scotland. "This should not been seen as a London versus Scotland thing."

He dismissed the notion that Mr Miliband had somehow seized control, stressing how the change in rules in 2011 to give the Scottish party autonomy were pretty clear. "It's not been a problem with the party structure but with the party leadership."

Unhappiness at the nature of Ms Lamont's leadership and the weak party structure in Scotland was voiced last week at the Parliamentary Labour Party's meeting in the Commons when sources made clear "serious concerns" were raised.

One party insider branded the handling of the Scottish party's administration as "a shambles" and that Mr Miliband had been shocked at his experience of it when he went north of the Border for the referendum campaign.

It was noted how Ms Lamont had not appointed a communications chief and had "hollowed out the day-to-day organisation" of the party.

One senior source was incensed by Ms Lamont's "throwing her toys out of the pram" and branded her attack on colleagues who had supported her for the Scottish leadership as "nonsense".

"Johann has left in a completely undignified and unnecessary way, attributing actions to people which are not true. Given she has done this just highlights the problem of her leadership in the first place."

He also claimed: "She indicated in August she wanted to see the referendum through and consider her position. It was she who started the chatter going and has spent the last few weeks finding an excuse to go."

One MP was equally scathing, claiming she was a vote loser. "Johann did not connect with the electorate. It's commendable that by resigning she recognised her own limitations."

Ms Lamont's claim that Mr ­Miliband had banned her for a year from condemning the bedroom tax while he worked out his opposition to it was also branded "completely untrue".

However, it was the personal attack on Margaret Curran, the Shadow Scottish Secretary, who has been a close friend and colleague of Ms Lamont's for many years, which colleagues at Westminster found the most outrageous.

One ally of the ex-Scottish leader said: "Johann is very hurt by Margaret's behaviour. She believes Margaret only cares about holding on to her job in Ed's Shadow Cabinet."

But colleagues at Westminster rallied round the Glasgow East MP, who was said to have been in tears after reading the claims made about her.

Her colleague Ian Murray, the Shadow Business Minister, said: "Margaret, as far as I am aware, has given Johann nothing but 110 per cent support since being leader. To try to suggest it has anything to do with Margaret is completely and utterly untrue."

A close source to Ms Curran admitted the Shadow Scottish Secretary had been "personally hurt and offended" by the accusations levelled against her and that colleagues had been "stunned" by the nature of Ms Lamont's ­criticisms. "This is not the way we do things in the Labour Party," he added.

Ms Lamont was unavailable for comment last night.

Meantime, Anas Sarwar, the acting leader of the Scottish Labour Party, said his role was to "keep the Labour family together" and insisted the party's focus had to be "to expose the failings of both the Tory and SNP Governments and to work with whoever the new leader is to deliver a Labour Government at next year's General Election".

But the recriminations could linger for a while yet.