Baillie ‘dreading’ the return of ex-fm

THE potential return of Alex Salmond to Holyrood “fills me with dread”, Jackie Baillie has admitted.

Scottish Labour’s deputy leader said the former first minister being re-elected would be “desperately sad for the Parliament” if it distracts from efforts to recover from the coronavirus pandemic.

She said Mr Salmond’s presence at Holyrood would exacerbate divisions and continue his feud with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon – a relationship which fractured after he was accused of multiple sexual assaults.

Ms Baillie sat on the Scottish Parliament inquiry into the Scottish Government’s unlawful handling of harassment allegations against Mr Salmond, who was cleared of 13 charges by a jury in a criminal trial and then successfully challenged the Government’s investigation.

Mr Salmond now leads the newly-formed Alba Party and is standing in May’s election for the North East region.

Speaking after Scottish Labour launched its women’s manifesto yesterday, Ms Baillie said: “Having spent hours on the harassment committee, I can say to you that the thought of Nicola Sturgeon and Alex Salmond continuing their division and their arguments in the Parliament just fills me with dread.

“It will expose the deep divisions in the SNP, but it will divert the attention of the Parliament at a time where we should be focused on recovery.

“Certainly for people in my community, that’s the most important thing.

“If we had both of them boxing with each other it just is going to be desperately sad for the Parliament.

“But it’s a matter for the electorate and from what I’ve seen of current polling, I don’t think Alba or indeed Alex Salmond may well be represented in the Parliament.”