Non-executive directors Fraser Livingston, Andrew Flanagan and Eric Hagman stepped down after Mackay was forced out and now Anderton has also resigned.

The general committee is made up of amateur members from club sides and rebelled against Mackay’s plans to concentrate on the national side and the three professional clubs.

However the committee’s own future is in jeopardy as a January 30 meeting will consider whether major structural change there is needed.

Anderton, 39, became chief executive in February last year, replacing Bill Watson.

He was promoted from the post of marketing director, having previously held a similar position with Coca-Cola.

On his appointment, Anderton called for a new era of winning rugby but that failed to materialise.

Scotland were handed the wooden spoon in the RSB 6 Nations tournament last year and Glasgow and Edinburgh have failed to win a single match in Europe this season.

Anderton pointed the finger of blame at the general committee for his resignation.

He said: “Today is probably the saddest day of my life and it is with great regret that I tended my resignation as chief executive of Scottish rugby this morning.

“There is no doubt the removal of David Mackay as the chairman of Scottish rugby and the resignation of non-executives (directors) is scandalous and is a crisis for Scottish rugby. I am not prepared to work under this regime.

“As the CEO of Scottish rugby, I find the complete lack of consultation for the removal of the chairman, my boss, and no discussions with the non-executives is unacceptable.

“It’s all about governance, who runs the game. If the appropriate structures are put in place and Dave Mackay is reinstated, if I was asked to come back, I would be delighted, but the structure is the most important thing.”