A defiant Charlie Gordon made clear last night that he would not be resigning as an MSP, dismissing breaches of the electoral law as no more than "a fuss".

The former Glasgow Council leader also defended his conduct in civic life as he implied that his past performance in the city was now being used against him.

Insisting that he had no intention of resigning as a local MSP, he said of his Cathcart constituents: "I'm still working hard for them, but they could be forgiven for thinking that I may have let them down - but they don't.

"Of the dozen or so letters I have received on these matters from constituents, not one has asked me to resign as their MSP. My constituents are giving me the benefit of the doubt. I thank them for that and I apologise to them for this fuss." Mr Gordon insisted: "I will deal with whatever arises from the Electoral Commission in due course. Meanwhile, I will stay on as Cathcart's MSP."

Much of his statement amounted to a defence of his time as civil leader in Glasgow, during which he first had dealings with the Jersey-based property developer Paul Green whose donations to the Wendy Alexander leadership campaign prompted the current crisis. Ms Alexander's defence over the illegal donations has been to blame Mr Gordon, who is now fighting back.