ALBA Party’s general secretary Chris McEleny has reportedly been suspended from his role for “gross misconduct”.
McEleny was reportedly suspended on February 2 and is currently not the party’s general secretary.
The former councillor was suspended for gross misconduct including giving the “false and unsupported impression” that the Alba Party supported the Scottish Conservatives’ views that asylum seekers in Scotland should not be given free bus passes, according to the Scotsman.
His suspension was also reportedly due to issuing a press release supporting Donald Trump if it meant bringing an economic boost to Scotland.
According to the Scotsman, Alba’s national executive committee said he had “injured the party’s reputation” and that he was initially suspended for a week on January 1 after being accused of disobeying direct orders from the party’s leadership.
An Alba source told the paper: “Mr McEleny was suspended from his position on January 1 for disobeying direct instructions from the party leadership and obstructing party office bearers from carrying out their duties.
“Since then he has been on a mission to tarnish and discredit Mr MacAskill in an attempt to hinder Mr MacAskill’s chances at becoming party leader.
“Mr McEleny doesn’t think the rules apply to him and when Mr MacAskill decided to apply the rules he simply couldn’t comprehend it.
“He is of course entitled to due process and we will have to wait and see what the outcome is.”
On January 2, McEleny announced he was stepping down from the role of general secretary so that Alex Salmond’s successor would be “free to run the party differently” from the former first minister if they wish.
Currently, MacAskill and Ash Regan (below) have put themselves forward to be the next leader of Alba.
When asked about McEleny’s suspension, MacAskill said: “There are ongoing internal disciplinary procedures underway and we do not comment on that.”
A friend of McEleny reportedly said: “Chris neither spoke against or for free bus travel for asylum seekers.
“The point he made was that it was not racist to discuss the merits of the policy and what actual benefit it would provide to support the lives of asylum seekers and ensure communities are involved in decision making.”
They added: “In regards to his comments that it was essential to work with the President of the United States for the benefit of the economy, his opinions are much in line with every world leader.
“The absurdity of these issues shows that there is a clear and coordinated attempt to remove Mr McEleny – Alex Salmond’s closest ally over the past years, who along with a handful of others built the Alba Party up to the verge of a Holyrood breakthrough – from his role ahead of the upcoming Alba leadership election.”
On Tuesday, The National revealed that the Alba leadership contest had descended into chaos after accusations of bullying and harassment were levelled against MacAskill.
Alba members were informed he had been barred from attending party meetings amid an investigation – but MacAskill (below) claimed that he had successfully challenged this.
McEleny had emailed a group of senior Alba members on Saturday to say that MacAskill faced “allegations of bullying and harassment”.
In the email, sent to members in “strict confidence” and seen by The National, McEleny said he had informed MacAskill of the ban.
However, MacAskill told The National: “An unauthorised and unconstitutional attempt was made to allegedly suspend me, Kenny MacAskill, by an individual acting outwith the limits of their powers.
“The attempt was firmly rebutted by the [national executive committee] and the matter is now being dealt with internally.
“It is not appropriate for me to comment on internal disciplinary matters.”
