Youngest MP tells how former FM suggested a makeover S

When Alex Salmond asked if I wanted to go clothes shopping with Taz, I left the awkward silence hanging. Then he tells me the last person he had this conversation with was a young woman called Nicola Sturgeon. I just thought, ‘Oh, very good’

NP firebrand Mhairi Black has told how Alex Salmond suggested she give herself a makeover and offered her help to choose clothes.

Westminster’s youngest MP revealed the former First Minister, then MP for Gordon, gave her some style advice during a conversation after she was elected.

The MP for Paisley and Renfreshire South, said she found the encounter awkward in places, particularly when he suggested that his f e l l ow MP, n ow business partner, Tasmina AhmedSheikh might help choose some new clothes for her.

Ms Black, who is gay, said: “I was just chatting away to him and the whole time I’m thinking, ‘ What’s the point of this meant to be? Is this a date? Do I need to come out to Alex Salmond?’

“It was fine, really, he was just giving me tips here and there and then he says, ‘I’m sure Taz will take you out to go shopping or something at some point and you’ll find your own style.’

“He then said that the last time he’d had this conversation it was with a young woman called Nicola Sturgeon.

“I thought, ‘Oh, very good’ and I just left the awkward silence hanging when he asked me if I wanted him to arrange it with Taz.

“I’m like, ‘I’m never going to be told how to dress, especially by a man.’ ”

In an interview with Holyrood magazine to be published tomorrow, Ms Black, a rising star in the party, says her lengthy conversation with Mr Salmond is one of the few she has had with senior figures in the SNP.

She said that she has only had a few brief encounters with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and only met her election mentor, culture minister Fiona Hyslop, twice. She tells Holyrood editor and Sunday Post columnist Mandy Rhodes the party’s MPs lack support and claims the SNP needs “a kick up the backside” to ensure their London-based politicians are given proper backing.

She said that support is crucial if future candidates “have a different e x p e r i e n c e” of entering politics to her own.

Ms Black, who, at 20, became the youngest MP to be elected to Westminster in 300 years, said that she had received little support after being elected, suggesting “there should be more care” for those thrown into elected politics.

Despite being tipped as a future leader, Black also reveals she has never had a one-toone conversation with Nicola Sturgeon.

Ms Black said: “She came down to greet us all but no, we’ve not had that kind of chat. The only time I re a l l y sort of had a conversation with her was when she asked me to do the youth stuff during the Scottish elections, but other than that, no. We’ve been at public things and meet and greets, but nothing special.”

Ms Hyslop had been assigned to offer Bl a c k mentoring support as a candidate in

the 2015 general election, but the Paisley and Renfrewshire South MP said they only met twice.

Ms Black said: “I think I frightened her. Things should change. It might be an idea for Nicola to take the time to talk to folk or whatever but I hope someone else further down the line does have a different experience to me. There should be more care.

“I know I’m maybe minimising it because it’s myself I’m talking about and I don’t want to make out I was really needy, but that’s an area where the party does need a kick up the backside, especially given the caring ethos we like to preach in the party.”

Ms Black came to the world’s attention in 2015 with a blistering maiden Westminster speech which was watched by millions on YouTube.

Earlier this year Ms Black told The Sunday Post that she “hates” being at Westminster. Asked if she would stand again, she said: “I don’t know.”

Since losing their seats at the election, Mr Salmond and Ms A h m e d - Sh e i k h h a v e b e c o m e business partners.

The pair teamed up for Mr Salmond’s sell-out Edinburgh Fringe show this year when Ms AhmedSheikh produced the 19-night run. The show has since gone on tour. Mr Salmond’s TV show on the Kremlin-backed RT network is produced by Slainte Media, a newly-formed company set up the two former politicians.

I don’t want to make out I was really needy, but there should be more care from the party