sNP 'in disarray' as party grapples with response to Salmond's rival party
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A bitter civil war engulfing the SNP intensified on Sunday after a second MP defected to join Alex Salmond’s rival Alba Party.
Neale Hanvey, the MP for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath, joined former justice secretary Kenny MacAskill in signing up to the former First Minister’s new outfit, set up to deliver a “super-majority” of pro-independence MSPs at the Holyrood elections in May.
Mr Salmond’s controversial return to front-line politics saw SNP politicians openly clash with each other over how to respond to their former leader, with some denouncing those joining the Alba Party while others called for a more conciliatory approach.
Meanwhile, Mr Salmond suggested that despite their bitter rift, Nicola Sturgeon would be prepared to work with him to deliver Scottish independence, in a future campaign for separation.
The First Minister has openly questioned her former mentor’s suitability for holding public office, due to his past conduct towards women.
She said: “Serious questions have been raised about the appropriateness of his behaviour towards women while he held the highest office in the land. I think that raises real questions about the appropriateness of any return to public office.”
Ms Sturgeon has claimed that she is “not overly concerned” about defections to the Alba Party.
However, when it was announced that Mr MacAskill, the East Lothian MP, had quit the SNP after more than 40 years of membership, Ian Blackford, the party’s Westminster leader, claimed “his departure is somewhat of a relief” as the former cabinet minister had become an “increasing embarrassment”.
Carol Monaghan, the SNP MP for Glasgow North West, said it was “disappointing to read character assassinations of several former colleagues”. She added: “We might not agree with their actions, but the level of vitriol is disturbing.”
But Stewart McDonald, the Glasgow South MP and the SNP’s foreign affairs spokesman, hit back at Mr Salmond’s claims that Alba could help his former party by delivering more pro-independence MSPs. He said: “It’s not a rope they’re throwing the Yes movement, it’s a noose.”
On Sunday night, it was confirmed that Caroline McAllister, deputy leader of West Dunbartonshire Council and the SNP national women’s convenor, had also signed up to Mr Salmond’s new breakaway party.
Further defections are likely to be announced within the coming days, with Mr Salmond saying at least 32 Alba Party candidates will be announced by Wednesday.
Alistair Carmichael, the LibDem MP and former Scottish Secretary, said Mr Hanvey’s defection was “the latest episode in the nationalists' bitter, twisted and divided civil war.”
Neil Bibby, Scottish Labour’s campaign co-chair, said it showed the SNP was now in “utter disarray” and called for both Mr Hanvey and Mr MacAskill to stand down from Westminster so that by-elections could be held.
However, despite Mr Salmond’s claim that Ms Sturgeon’s husband, Peter Murrell, was among the senior SNP figures who he says conspired to put him in jail, he said he and his former protege could once again unite behind their “common aim” of securing the break up of Britain.
He told Times Radio that he would not “forgive” Ms Sturgeon over their feud. But he added: “With the future of our country at stake, you have to put the past behind you, and campaign for the future.
“I'm saying that is what I would do, and incidentally I believe that's what Nicola Sturgeon would do as well.”
Mr Salmond was cleared of all 13 sex assault charges at a trial last year, but did admit to inapproproate conduct with staffers.
An SNP spokesman said: "The SNP is focused on tackling covid and securing a strong, fair and green recovery for Scotland as an independent country in a post-pandemic referendum.
"Only both votes SNP on the 6th May can put Scotland's future in Scotland's hands - not Boris Johnson's."
Dan Sanderson 2 hrs ago
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A bitter civil war engulfing the SNP intensified on Sunday after a second MP defected to join Alex Salmond’s rival Alba Party.
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© Russell Cheyne/PA First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, leader of the Scottish National Party, rehearses her SNP campaign speech, due to be broadcast on Monday - Russell Cheyne/PANeale Hanvey, the MP for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath, joined former justice secretary Kenny MacAskill in signing up to the former First Minister’s new outfit, set up to deliver a “super-majority” of pro-independence MSPs at the Holyrood elections in May.
Mr Salmond’s controversial return to front-line politics saw SNP politicians openly clash with each other over how to respond to their former leader, with some denouncing those joining the Alba Party while others called for a more conciliatory approach.
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© Provided by The Telegraph Ian Blackford claimed Kenny MacAskill's departure from the SNP was a relief - David Cheskin/PAMeanwhile, Mr Salmond suggested that despite their bitter rift, Nicola Sturgeon would be prepared to work with him to deliver Scottish independence, in a future campaign for separation.
The First Minister has openly questioned her former mentor’s suitability for holding public office, due to his past conduct towards women.
She said: “Serious questions have been raised about the appropriateness of his behaviour towards women while he held the highest office in the land. I think that raises real questions about the appropriateness of any return to public office.”
Ms Sturgeon has claimed that she is “not overly concerned” about defections to the Alba Party.
However, when it was announced that Mr MacAskill, the East Lothian MP, had quit the SNP after more than 40 years of membership, Ian Blackford, the party’s Westminster leader, claimed “his departure is somewhat of a relief” as the former cabinet minister had become an “increasing embarrassment”.
Carol Monaghan, the SNP MP for Glasgow North West, said it was “disappointing to read character assassinations of several former colleagues”. She added: “We might not agree with their actions, but the level of vitriol is disturbing.”
But Stewart McDonald, the Glasgow South MP and the SNP’s foreign affairs spokesman, hit back at Mr Salmond’s claims that Alba could help his former party by delivering more pro-independence MSPs. He said: “It’s not a rope they’re throwing the Yes movement, it’s a noose.”
On Sunday night, it was confirmed that Caroline McAllister, deputy leader of West Dunbartonshire Council and the SNP national women’s convenor, had also signed up to Mr Salmond’s new breakaway party.
Further defections are likely to be announced within the coming days, with Mr Salmond saying at least 32 Alba Party candidates will be announced by Wednesday.
Alistair Carmichael, the LibDem MP and former Scottish Secretary, said Mr Hanvey’s defection was “the latest episode in the nationalists' bitter, twisted and divided civil war.”
Neil Bibby, Scottish Labour’s campaign co-chair, said it showed the SNP was now in “utter disarray” and called for both Mr Hanvey and Mr MacAskill to stand down from Westminster so that by-elections could be held.
However, despite Mr Salmond’s claim that Ms Sturgeon’s husband, Peter Murrell, was among the senior SNP figures who he says conspired to put him in jail, he said he and his former protege could once again unite behind their “common aim” of securing the break up of Britain.
He told Times Radio that he would not “forgive” Ms Sturgeon over their feud. But he added: “With the future of our country at stake, you have to put the past behind you, and campaign for the future.
“I'm saying that is what I would do, and incidentally I believe that's what Nicola Sturgeon would do as well.”
Mr Salmond was cleared of all 13 sex assault charges at a trial last year, but did admit to inapproproate conduct with staffers.
An SNP spokesman said: "The SNP is focused on tackling covid and securing a strong, fair and green recovery for Scotland as an independent country in a post-pandemic referendum.
"Only both votes SNP on the 6th May can put Scotland's future in Scotland's hands - not Boris Johnson's."
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