Former minister brands attack on defector MacAskill ‘embarrassing’

FORMER SNP health secretary Alex Neil has condemned party leaders for launching a ‘ridiculous personal assault’ on an MP who defected to Alex Salmond’s new party.

Mr Neil said a statement issued by SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford criticising Kenny MacAskill was ‘embarrassing’.

He also criticised Nicola Sturgeon’s ‘personal insults’ about Mr Salmond but ruled out joining the Alba Party despite being ‘sympathetic’ to its aims.

After Mr MacAskill’s defection was confirmed at the weekend, Mr Blackford issued a statement saying the former justice secretary ‘has been an increasing embarrassment to many in the SNP and his departure is somewhat of a relief’.

Mr Neil, who is standing down as MSP for Airdrie and Shotts after 22 years in parliament, said: ‘The embarrassing thing was that press release. It was a ridiculous personal assault on a colleague and I don’t think that is justified.

‘My view is everybody should calm down, respect every other’s point of view and recognise we are all fighting for the same thing, which is independence for our country.’

Mr Neil served in Mr Salmond’s cabinet but was axed in Miss Sturgeon’s first reshuffle after she took over as First Minister.

The Herald yesterday reported 17 of the SNP’s 44 MPs have confirmed they will not join Alba but the remainder failed to respond. An SNP spokesman said: ‘The SNP is focused on tackling Covid and securing a strong, fair and green recovery for Scotland as an independent country in a post-pandemic referendum.’