Salmond left off invitation list for televised leaders’ debate

Alex Salmond has not been invited to take part in the next televised leaders’ debate.

Scheduled to take place on Tuesday April 13, the leaders of Scotland’s five main political parties will go head to head in the live hustings on STV.

It follows a similar event on BBC Scotland earlier in the election campaign.

The debate will begin with opening statements from each party leader, followed by initial discussion, crossexamination between the leaders and closing statements.

STV political editor Colin Mackay will chair the event.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will debate along with Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, Scottish Greens co-convener Patrick Harvie, Scottish Lib Dems leader Willie Rennie and Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross.

Mr Salmond, who announced he was running on the North East regional list as leader of the Alba Party, had previously said he should be included. He wrote to broadcasting chiefs asking to be included and has previously not ruled out another trip to court if he was to be excluded.

The former first minister argued because his party was fielding 32 candidates, he should be included in the debates.

The Alba Party has zero representatives at Holyrood, and two MPs who defected from the SNP — Kirkcaldy MP Neale Hanvey and East Lothian MP Kenny Macaskill.

Linda Grimes Douglas, head of news and current affairs at STV, said: “It’s a hugely exciting time for Scottish politics and our team is primed and ready to bring viewers coverage of Election 2021.”

Politicians primed and ready for the last live TV debate, which was on the BBC.