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SCOTTISH Labour descended into infighting yesterday as leader Kezia Dugdale was attacked for remarks she made about independence .

Disloyal candidates anonymously criticised her in Tory-supporting ­papers after she said it was “not inconceivable” she would back a split if the UK votes to leave the European Union.

With the SNP set for a comfortable victory in the Holyrood election, Labour are locked in a bitter battle with the Conservatives for second place .

And Tory leader Ruth Davidson has tried to pinch No voters from Labour by claiming Dugdale is taking a softer line on a second referendum.

Dugdale’s internal critics say she played into Davidson’s hands in the interview with Fabian Review.

She was asked where her “loyalty” would be if there was an overall vote to leave in the EU referendum but the majority of Scots wanted to remain .

When pushed on the topic and asked if she would “argue, for Scotland’s sake, against the UK union”, Dugdale said: “Possibly. It’s not inconceivable.”

And several candidates couldn’t resist putting the boot in.

One senior Labour source said: “This just plays into the Tory line that they are the true defenders of the Union, even though that’s not true because it’s the Tories who introduced English votes for English laws and caused the EU ­referendum. Kez should have been landing blows on them, not on the ­Scottish Labour party.”

Former Labour MP Tom Harris also attacked Dugdale.

The SNP last night seized on the infighting. SNP Business Convener Derek Mackay said: “This is deeply ­embarrassing for Kezia Dugdale.

“After only one full week of campaigning, Labour’s election campaign has descended into disarray – as senior figures in her own party slam her ­leadership, seemingly already ­apportioning blame before a single vote has been cast.”

But Dugdale last night tried to move the debate back on to the issues of tax and spend.

Labour published analysis showing that low paid Scots would be better off under their plans than they are now.

Dugdale said: “Labour’s plans are fair, reasonable and the only way to stop cuts to our public services.”