Mr Wilson's comments have caused anger among list MSPs

Brian Wilson, a former government minister, was scathing of their role in Scotland's political system and said he "would not weep any tears if the list system was done away with".

But list MSPs have hit back at his comments, and in turn questioned Mr Wilson's role on the Labour backbenches in Westminster.

Peter Peacock, list MSP for the Highlands & Islands and Scotland's education minister, said: "I am neither under-employed or a waste of space and am on my way to give evidence to a parliamentary committee so have to go."

Frances Curran, list MSP for the Scottish Socialist Party in the West of Scotland, said: "I have to wonder what Brian Wilson does given that most areas of public life and policy are now devolved.

All members of the parliament work extremely hard - harder than I suspect backbench members of certain parties in Westminster Robert Brown

"What need is there for having as many Labour MPs in the Westminster Parliament?

"Labour has 43% of the vote at Westminster, yet holds 84% of the seats. Mr Wilson's backside occupies one of those seats so maybe he should have a look at that."

Robert Brown, Liberal Democrat list MSP for Glasgow, added that Mr Wilson's claims were "simply not true".

He said: "All members of the parliament work extremely hard - harder than I suspect backbench members of certain parties in Westminster."

Maureen Macmillan, Labour list MSP in the Highlands & Islands, said: "The MSP system we have in Scotland gives people the opportunity to choose the colour of MSPs they want, whether it is the first past the post system or whether it is the top-up system."

The Scottish Green Party list MSP, Mark Ballard, said: "Brian Wilson's attack... speaks volumes about his fear of real democracy as it breaks out in Scotland.

"Mr Wilson's recurring griping on this issue should not be taken seriously."

'Childish outburst'

The Scottish National Party accused Mr Wilson of "throwing an attention-seeking tantrum".

Bruce Crawford MSP said: "Brian Wilson is an ex-minister, now suffering an attack of headlineitis.

"His political career is all but over, having been sacked in the last reshuffle, and he is now being forced to make more and more intemperate comments in a self-seeking attempt to keep himself in the limelight.

"There is a debate to be had over the election system for Holyrood, but Brian Wilson's comments are little more than the attention seeking tantrum of a man struggling to cope with the political wilderness.