Former Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy’s party membership fell into arrears amid claims that he is disillusioned and has abandoned the campaign.

It was also suggested the ex-East Renfrewshire MP and cabinet minister considered quitting the party because he has concerns about Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership.

The development is a blow to Mr Murphy’s successor Kezia Dugdale, who is trying to shore up support ahead of next month’s Scottish elections.

Ms Dugdale, who served as Mr Murphy’s deputy during his beleaguered six months at the top of the party in Scotland, is facing the prospect of coming third behind the Conservatives.

It is understood at least one MSP was despatched by the party to persuade Mr Murphy to reconsider.

There was confusion last night as a Labour Party spokesman admitted that his membership is “technically in arrears” before issuing a statement which said he is a “fully paid up member”.

A Scottish Labour source said: “He 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.

SNP candidate for Eastwood Stewart Maxwell described the development as “hugely embarrassing” for Kezia Dugdale and said the Scottish Labour leader’s campaign has been “engulfed by U-turns and infighting since day one”.

Deputy leader of the Scottish Conservatives, Jackson Carlaw, who is also a candidate in Eastwood, added: “He hasn't been seen at all in East Renfrewshire for this campaign, and that is something that's been remarked upon. This is another damning blow for Labour, as well as Dugdale and Jeremy Corbyn.”

Mr Murphy stepped down as Scottish Labour leader after the SNP won 56 of 59 Westminster seats, including his East Renfrewshire constituency, 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.

The firm’s website jimmurphy.scot bills him as having “a record of real achievement at home and abroad”.

Under the heading ‘Scotland’s referendum (2014)’ it states: “Widely recognised as a passionate and successful advocate for maintaining the UK.

“Undertook one of the highest profile 'Vote No Thanks' initiatives of the referendum by touring Scotland for 100 impromptu public street meetings.

“Part of leadership team of the all-party Better Together campaign.”

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.”