THE Scottish Labour leader Wendy Alexander was celebrating last night after going to the toilet all by herself.
It is understood Alexander got down from the table after dinner and walked purposefully across the hall to the downstairs lavatory.
According to friends of the Labour leader, she pulled down her trousers and pants, climbed onto the seat, steadied herself and then did both, 'a pee and a poo'.
Labour activists in Scotland hailed yesterday's movement as a major step forward for the party, although Alexander did require some help with wiping.
It is the first time the Scottish leader has gone to the toilet unaided. Last year she got half way across the hall and was already pulling down her pyjama bottoms, before falling over and soiling herself in what one witness described as a 'spectacular explosion'.
Meanwhile Ms Alexander's brother, Douglas, the international development secretary, has recently moved on to Pampers Easy-up Pants and hopes to be using the toilet independently by the end of July.
A spokesman for prime minister Gordon Brown said: "The Scottish leader is now, officially, a big girl.
"It is for her to decide when and how she goes to the the toilet. We wish her luck and hope her new found confidence does not result in shit all over the floor."
