Tommy Sheridan believes it is up to the party to decide how it is ruled

Mr Sheridan said: "If Tommy Sheridan is undermined, is the person he might support also undermined?"

The MSP resigned on Wednesday, to be a "good dad" and supportive husband.

However, on Sunday the News of the World printed allegations about his private life. Mr Sheridan has said he will take the paper to court.

Branches have until the first week in December to propose a new leader for the party, which has six seats in the Scottish Parliament.

I am glad that they (News of the World) have printed this garbage because now I can take them to court - and I'm going to wring out of them as much as I can Tommy Sheridan

The election will take place at the party's national conference in February and any member of the party is eligible to stand.

Mr Sheridan was the party's sole representative in the first parliament after becoming a list MSP for Glasgow.

The 40-year-old told BBC Scotland's Politics Show host Glenn Campbell that there could be people in the party who wanted to undermine him.

The politician said he was fed up with media reports which attributed stories to "a party source said, someone on the executive said".

Mr Sheridan added: "It is all a lot of nonsense and garbage, if people want to say things they should be courageous enough to stand up and be counted and not hide.

Party decision

"I found it incredible that the decision I have taken has not been supported more in the media - instead they are looking under rocks for stories and rumour that aren't there and that don't even exist."

Mr Sheridan, whose wife Gail is pregnant with their first child, said he would not discuss in public the future running of the party or the leadership election.

The party has six MSP in the parliament

However, he did question the notion that the party could be ruled collectively.

Mr Sheridan said that in the modern world of politics the media were used to going to a figure head for reaction.

But he added that ultimately it was up to the party to decide how it would be governed.

Mr Sheridan reiterated his reason for going - that he had his wife and unborn baby to think of.

And he condemned the News of the World newspaper over allegations it had printed about his private life.

He said: "I look forward to taking the News of the World to court.

"I am glad that they have printed this garbage because now I can take them to court - and I'm going to wring out of them as much as I can."