Mr McConnell said his family have a right to privacy

MSPs, including Jack McConnell, must register all gifts worth more than �250 - even if they come from close family.

But he is said to be "angry" at what he believes is an invasion of privacy.

Mr McConnell's attack on the system comes amid questions about whether he should have registered festive his holiday with broadcaster Kirsty Wark.

As part of the registration, Mr McConnell will have to ask his wife how much the commission cost.

The first minister is in talks with parliament officials about registering the painting which was given to him by his wife Bridget last Christmas.

I believe that my family, whether they are on holiday or exchanging Christmas gifts, have the same right to privacy as any other family in Scotland Jack McConnell First Minister

The work featured the farmhouse where he grew up on Arran and was done by the artist Hamish McDonald.

However, the Labour leader is understood to have refused to enter his recent controversial stay at BBC Newsnight presenter Ms Wark's Majorcan villa into the register.

He claims it does not qualify as he and his family were not charged for the holiday and it was merely a case of them spending time with long-standing family friends.

Mr McConnell said: "I believe very strongly that there is a difference between the public duties that I have to perform as an MSP and as first minister, and in those public duties the need for the highest standards of transparency and openness.

"But I also believe that my family, whether they are on holiday or exchanging Christmas gifts, have the same right to privacy as any other family in Scotland."

Artist Hamish McDonald and Jack McConnell with the painting

Parliament has recommended a change in the system so gifts from family are exempted from the registration ruling but that still has to go through the parliamentary process.

The parliament's code of conduct states: "Members who receive a private gift, say, from a close family member or a friend, which requires to be registered, may wish to consult the Standards Committee clerks about the terms of registration to avoid unnecessary disclosure of personal details."

Last year, Mrs McConnell commissioned Mr McDonald to paint a picture of Glenscorrodale Farm, where her husband grew up.

The whitewashed farmhouse was demolished in 2003 to make way for a Buddhist retreat.

The print was then used as the first minister's official Christmas card.

Holiday controversy

A parliament spokesman said: "As a matter of policy we do not comment on whether a member has sought advice from the clerk to the Standards Committee.

"Each MSP is responsible for their own entry and they may at any time take advice from the clerk on the Register of Interests."

The first minister's family holiday in Majorca at Hogmanay with broadcaster Ms Wark sparked political controversy with opposition parties calling for him to declare all hospitality he received.