Salmond plots return to Holyrood with new party

ALEX Salmond is attempting a return to Holyrood leading a new venture, the Alba Party.

The former first minister has five candidates so far but says the aim is to stand for second votes in each of the eight regions on the list.

He said the main aim is creating a “supermajority” for independence in Holyrood.

Salmond said there were one million “wasted” SNP regional list votes at the last election that produced no new MSPs.

He said: “There could be 90 or more independence supporting MSPs in the new parliament.

He said: “Today Alba is hoisting a flag in the wind, planting a saltire on the hill.”

The main parties in the election said it was an unwelcome intervention.

An SNP spokesperson said: “At this time of crisis, the interests of the country must come first and should not be obscured by the self interest of someone who shows no sign whatsoever of reflecting on serious concerns about his own conduct – concerns which, to put it mildly, raise real questions about the appropriateness of a return to public office.

Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross said: “Alex Salmond is a discredited figure who admitted appalling behaviour towards women during his time as SNP First Minister and right-thinking people will want nothing to do with him or his new party.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said: “The people of Scotland deserve so much better than the score-settling and old politics that the SNP and Tories are offering.

“This election must be about our national recovery and the people of Scotland’s priorities, not the old arguments between personalities who believe their interest matters more than the national interest.

A Greens spokesperson said: “This election should be about putting forward a positive vision for Scotland’s future, not settling personal vendettas. This public meltdown is all about the fragile ego of a man disgraced by his own behaviour.”