Chief Constable Sir Stephen House had previously signalled his intention to leave when his four year contract expired next September — but is now bringing forward his departure by nearly 12 months.

His decision comes under increasing pressure to quit after the deaths of John Yuill and Lamara Bell in a car crash on the M9.

25-year-old Lamara was left fighting for her life for three days in a crashed car beside partner John, who was killed in the crash.

Renfrewshire MSP Hugh Henry, who tabled the motion calling on him to quit, said the chief constable had “finally done the right thing.” He added: “I have been calling for months for Stephen House to stand down. Police Scotland needs a fresh start.

“It owes it to its hard working and dedicated staff, and to the general public.

“But Sir Stephen House is not solely responsible for this mess. The Scottish Police Authority (SPA) has failed in its duties to hold Police Scotland to account and there should be a clear out there.

“But at the heart of this crisis has been Scottish Government Ministers, including the First Minister. The Scottish Government established and protected Police Scotland and the SPA, but then failed to properly fund Police Scotland.

“Sir Stephen House was a useful lighting rod to deflect attention away from Scottish Ministers. They now need to be held to account for the failures.” Sir Stephen was previously the Chief Constable of Strathclyde Police but took the helm of the new merged force which is the second largest in the UK.