ALBA must not hold its leadership hustings “behind brick walls” and should allow the media in, Ash Regan has demanded.
The leadership contender hit out after it was revealed the party would hold debates behind closed doors, with the media barred from attending.
Speaking to The National, Regan said: “As a leadership candidate, I have recused myself from any involvement in the contest arrangements, so I am unaware of any plans to ban media.
“I asked the SNP to allow media into the 2023 leadership contest, and they did. I would implore those organising the Alba contest to allow media in, as politics should be conducted in glass boxes to rebuild public trust, not kept behind brick walls.”
Regan, who ran to replace Nicola Sturgeon as SNP leader, had previously said that candidates had a “a duty to be held to scrutiny”.
The party’s Holyrood leader said she looked forward to “a constructive exchange of views with all candidates” in the Alba leadership debates and was encouraged by “the press interest in both the Alba media debate and member hustings”.
She added: “Our party must relish the opportunity to open the doors to showcase robust, respectful debate of ideas to our members and the electorate in the run-up to the critical 2026 Holyrood election.”
Nominations have not yet opened for the leadership contest though both Regan and former East Lothian MP Kenny MacAskill have put themselves forward and a winner is expected to be declared on March 26.
The National has asked MacAskill whether he supports media access to the hustings.
An Alba spokesperson said: "This is an internal election process, with the returning officers serving as the ultimate arbiters of its conduct.
"Worth noting the SNP election in 2023 was for the person who would be first minister.
"Members of the press are welcome to submit applications to attend; however, dates and venues have not yet been finalised. The final decision regarding press attendance will be decided by the returning officers"
Alba had previously said that the hustings were for "members only".
