FORMER Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy’s party membership fell into arrears amid claims he has grown disillusioned with electioneering .
A source has also suggested the ex-cabinet minister has considered quitting the party because of concerns about Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership.
It is understood at least one MSP was dispatched by the party to persuade Mr Murphy to reconsider.
There was confusion last night as a Labour Party spokesman admitted that his membership was “technically in arrears” before issuing a statement which said he is a “fully paid up member”.
A Scottish Labour source said: “Jim would normally be out knocking doors and speaking to voters but we’ve not seen him for months. He’s gone AWOL. He hasn’t been at any meetings.
“The party sends CLP (Constituency Labour Party) secretaries a fortnightly membership list because we can’t afford to lose any members - because we have no money.
“Someone realised that his membership was in arrears and an MSP met him last week to try to get him to pay up and become a full member again.”
The party allows a leeway period of several months to renew before counting someone as having left.
A source close to Mr Murphy said: “It’s because of Corbyn. He’s just had enough of everything to be honest, after everything that’s happened. It’s a shame, but that’s life.”
Mr Corbyn said during his leadership campaign that Scottish Labour under Jim Murphy “was not chiming” with voters and failed to offer an alternative to austerity.
Mr Murphy stepped down as Scottish Labour leader last year after the SNP swept the electoral board taking 56 of 59 Westminster seats, including his East Renfrewshire constituency, and leaving the party with one MP in Scotland.
The former secretary of state for Scotland has since set himself up as a consultant. Arden Strategies Limited was incorporated at Companies House in October last year with Mr Murphy as the sole director and shareholder.
Jim Murphy did not respond to a request for comment but a Labour spokesman confirmed that his party membership is “technically in arrears”.
He also suggested it fell into arrears due to a “slip” because Mr Murphy is “so used to people doing things for him”.
The spokesman later issued a statement which said: “Jim Murphy is a fully paid up member of the Labour Party and there has been no break in his membership.”
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