Alba on brink of missing Holyrood election as 'fraud' ruins finances - The Times

The pro-independence Alba Party is unlikely to contest the Holyrood election in May because it is in what its leader describes as a “perilous financial position”.

Kenny MacAskill contacted members of the party, launched in 2021 by the former first minister Alex Salmond, to say that an “immediate crisis” meant the party was unlikely to register with the Electoral Commission in time.

MacAskill, who served as SNP justice secretary for seven years up to 2014, added that the news also brought into question “the viability of a party which neither has financial resources nor the ability to contest elections. I know this will come as a bitter blow to you.”

MacAskill took over as leader after the death of Salmond in October 2024. He has said previously that Alba was facing “very difficult” financial issues as police investigate alleged fraud. He said “financial irregularities” had come to light, adding this was subject to a police investigation and he expected “matters to progress further shortly”.

In a further statement on Saturday, MacAskill said: “No final decision has been taken at this stage. Any determination will be a matter for the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) … The party leadership has clear duties to its staff and obligations to its members. The NEC and candidates have been informed that all options remain under consideration while the party continues to engage with the Electoral Commission.”

In his message to members, he stated: “I can assure you of [the] integrity of current staff and elected office bearers, but neither that nor justice being done addresses the perilous financial position which we find ourselves in as a result. Despite the sterling efforts of Corri Wilson, our director of operations, in stabilising and then seeking to turn matters around, our financial position remains acute.”

MacAskill said the party was no longer able to meet requirements to file accounts to the Electoral Commission, meaning that “fighting an election is simply beyond our resources”. He also mentioned the departure of the party’s sole MSP, Ash Regan, who quit last October after an acrimonious leadership election earlier in the year.

• Former Alba candidate set to be elected as Labour MSP

MacAskill added to members: “Let me thank you for your support for our party over these past years. It has been gratefully appreciated. We were formed by Alex Salmond when the SNP faltered and fell by the wayside on pursuing the cause of independence, compounded by their shameful treatment of him, which disgusted so many of us.

“It hasn’t been easy given the party’s launch during Covid and the hostility of the SNP throughout. But we persevered. We were then though struck by the grievous blow of Alex’s tragic and early passing. Notwithstanding that, we rallied in his memory and to maintain his dream which we all share.”

While MacAskill questioned Alba’s viability, others in the party have insisted it can continue. Christina Hendry, Salmond’s niece, said: “I am frustrated by the announcement made by the party leadership today. The decision to de-register the party should not rest with a handful of members in the leadership team, some of whom have no electoral mandate. It belongs to you, the entire Alba Party membership.

“The fight is not over and if they are now unable or unwilling to continue, they should allow the opportunity to those that will. I am not prepared to stand by and watch my uncle’s legacy discarded and the cause of independence abandoned.”

Angus MacNeil, a former MP selected as Alba’s lead candidate for the Highlands regional list, posted on social media: “Despite temporary blips, Alba candidates will [be] standing at the Holyrood elections in May. Independence matters.”

A source close to Alba added: “If Ash Regan was elected party leader, then she would’ve led the party to the Scottish parliament election. Alex Salmond will be rolling in his grave at the decision Kenny has made when his niece Christina would’ve been more than capable of carrying on her uncle Alex’s independence torch.”

Police Scotland said: “On May 26, 2025, we received a complaint from the Alba Party in relation to irregularities within their finances. The investigation into this matter is ongoing.”