CHRIS McEleny has been suspended from Alba after he was “dismissed” from his role for “gross misconduct”, the party has confirmed.
In February, it was announced that McEleny, who served as Alba’s general secretary for the entirety of Alex Salmond’s leadership, had been fired from his paid party position and that his membership was being reviewed.
The National can now reveal that Alba has confirmed that McEleny has been suspended from the party while an investigation into the complaint against him is ongoing.
McEleny previously said he would appeal against the decision to sack him and that he claims he was bullied.
An Alba spokesperson confirmed his suspension to The National as they said: “Mr McEleny was dismissed from his employment as General Secretary for gross misconduct.
“His membership has subsequently been suspended by the Conduct Committee, following the receipt of formal complaints and pending the outcome of an ongoing investigation.”
A source close to McEleny told The National the timing of his suspension appears to be “vindictive” and claimed it was a means to stop him running in the upcoming Scottish Parliamentary elections next year.
They said: "Chris is very upset and hurt over the actions he has been subjected to.
“He only learned about this latest decision via the press, on Good Friday - a day that anyone who knows him knows he spends at church and in prayer.
“The timing appears nothing short of vindictive and most likely as a means to stop him becoming an Alba Party candidate at the Scottish elections.”
McEleny’s firing in February followed claims that then acting leader Kenny MacAskill had been suspended from the party after accusations of bullying and harassment were levelled against him.
MacAskill denied the bullying claims and said that the alleged attempt to suspend him were made by an “individual acting outwith the limits of their powers”.
MacAskill said he had spoken with him on behalf of Salmond’s family and that he had told McEleny not to speak to the media in relation to the death of Alex Salmond.
The source close to McEleny told The National added they believe that Salmond would be “angry” with how his party’s former general secretary has been treated.
“Chris enjoyed the confidence and close friendship of Alex Salmond for a long period, which was in no small part down to the fact that they lived with each other for many years sharing a flat in London,” they said.
“We can’t help but think how angry Alex would be at the treatment of one of the few people that stood by him through thick and thin when many of his former colleagues were too busy trying to get elected on an SNP ticket whilst they were unlawfully treating him and trying to imprison him.
“Chris is grateful that he is now currently working for Alba Party’s Holyrood leader Ash Regan helping to develop the policies and the messaging for Alba to win next year. He will continue focused on delivering success for Alba and urges everyone else to do likewise.”
