ALBA’S Chris McEleny has issued an update on his bid to become the party’s next deputy leader.
McEleny, who was the general secretary during the entire tenure of Alex Salmond’s leadership of the party before his death in October last year, announced he has secured the required support to be included in Alba Party’s Depute leadership ballot.
Earlier this week, it was announced by Alba leadership contender Kenny MacAskill that McEleny had been fired from his role within the party.
MacAskill said the former councillor had been “dismissed on gross misconduct” while his membership of the party will be reviewed.
However, McEleny announced on Saturday he has met the threshold required despite nominations opening while the news broke of his sacking.
He added that he had received support from across 20 of Scotland’s 32 local authority areas and that “Alba Party members want to see an end to what they see as needless infighting”.
In a statement, McEleny said Alba members want the leadership of their party to get their focus back on delivering independence.
He said: “I am very grateful to the Alba Party members that have nominated me to be their Depute leader.
“This body of support shows that party members want to see an end to negative campaigning, smearing and what they see as infighting.
“Alba Party members want to see their party focused on delivering success at next year’s Scottish Parliament election and progressing the case for independence as an urgent priority.
“That was the sole focus of the party under the leadership of Alex Salmond and if elected I will play my part in ensuring that is where all of the party’s efforts return to.”
Hustings for the vacant positions of leader and deputy leader of the Alba party will begin next week.
Ash Regan, the party’s only MSP, and MacAskill, a former MP and MSP, are the only two candidates to contest the leadership election.
