Ex-champ throws his hat in the ring
Former featherweight joins Salmond’s party
A FORMER world champion boxer has joined Alex Salmond’s new pro-independence movement.
Alex Arthur, who won gold for Scotland at the 1998 Commonwealth Games, wants to swap the ringside for Holyrood come May.
The former WBO super featherweight title holder will stand on the Lothian regional list for the Alba Party when voters go to the polls in five weeks.
Edinburgh-born Arthur is a familiar face to British boxing fans as a regular TV pundit on big fight nights but has no previous political experience.
Alba Party bosses had hinted that a “big hitter” would be joining their team, prompting speculation on social media as to which senior nationalist could be on the verge of quitting Nicola Sturgeon’s party.
Few predicted it was Arthur, who won 31 of his 34 pro fights before retiring from the ring in 2010.
The 42-year-old said he wanted to support grassroots sport in communities and promote healthy lifestyles.
He said: “I have had the rare privilege of winning a gold medal for Scotland before reaching the top of the world in my professional career.
“I backed the Yes campaign in 2014 and I am joining the Alba Party as a candidate to help deliver a supermajority for independence in the Scottish Parliament.
“Standing on the podium in front of the Saltire was one of the proudest moments of my life.
“A supermajority for independence will energise our country.
“I am proof that with hard work, inspiration and opportunity, people from across Scotland can achieve amazing things.
“I will bring a focus on sport in working-class communities to ensure that, in the recovery from coronavirus, no young person is left behind.
“It is so important that we inspire the nation as we recover from the pandemic and put health and well-being at the centre of all our communities.
“There is massive talent all over Scotland and I will dedicate myself to making sure that talent has the support needed, to inspire our recovery and to maximise their potential.”
Salmond shocked the political world by launching his own pro-independence party.
Ex-justice secretary Kenny MacAskill MP quit the SNP on Saturday to join Alba and was soon followed by fellow MP Neale Hanvey.
As the Daily Record revealed yesterday, Glasgow City Councillor for Shettleston Michelle Ferns will now try to win election as an MSP in May.
She joins other councillors who hope to gain a seat, such as Chris McEleny of Inverclyde.