The under-fire chairman of the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) has announced his intention to stand down from the role.

Andrew Flanagan said media and parliamentary attention on a dispute with a former board member who accused him of bullying, as well as perceptions of a lack of transparency in the SPA under his leadership, were behind his decision.

He had been criticised over his support for having SPA committee meetings in private.

Mr Flanagan also sent a board member who disagreed with the move a letter saying someone in her position "would normally consider resigning".

In May, a Holyrood sub-committee said it did not have confidence in his leadership, with MSPs calling his conduct "inappropriate" and "unacceptable".

They told him: "You are not running the Kremlin."

In a letter sent to Scottish justice secretary Michael Matheson on Tuesday, Mr Flanagan said he did not want to become a "prolonged distraction" from "the many serious challenges faced by policing in Scotland".

He wrote: "Recent events have focused on my disagreement with a board member and perceptions of a wider lack of transparency in the SPA.

"I have apologised to the former board member and put in place changes to the governance processes of the SPA.

"There are many serious challenges faced by policing in Scotland but the continued media and parliamentary debate on these issues risks coming a prolonged distraction."

He added: "With a strategic direction for the service well in train and the right mix of leadership in Police Scotland to deliver it, I do not wish the ongoing debate to get in the way as we move into the implementation phase.

"I have therefore taken the decision that it would be in the best interests of policing if I were to step down from my role as chair of the SPA."

Mr Flanagan has offered to stay on in the role until a successor is appointed "to ensure an orderly handover".

He said: "I take pride in being a part of this chapter of policing history in Scotland and for the personal successes I have had since taking up the role in 2015 - in particular shaping a long-term strategy for Police Scotland, recruiting a new chief constable and senior leadership team, and setting a clear direction for bringing financial sustainability."