MacAskill picked as Alba leader despite 'smear' claims

KENNY MACASKILL is the new leader of the Alba Party, following an election sparked by the death last year of Alex Salmond.

- David Walker

But his coronation was not without controversy - he was accused by the party's former general secretary, Chris McEleny, of leading a smear campaign against him.

The former SNP Justice Secretary narrowly defeated Alba's only MSP, Ash Regan, in a tight contest marked by infighting.

Both had insisted they were Mr Salmond's choice to replace him.

The result was announced in Edinburgh yesterday.

Mr MacAskill got 1,331 votes (52.3%) and Ms Regan 1,212 (47.7%). Former SNP and Alba MP Neale Hanvey was elected deputy leader with 78% of the vote, defeating Mr McEleny decisively.

Mr MacAskill defected to Alba from the SNP in 2021 while he was MP for East Lothian. In last year's general election, he stood for Alloa and Grangemouth and finished eighth out of nine candidates.

Ms Regan defected from the SNP after failing to win a contest to succeed Nicola Sturgeon as party leader.