Kenny MacAskill Escapes Suspension Threat Amid Rising Tensions in Alba Party Ahead of Leadership Contest
Kenny MacAskill has managed to fend off a suspension attempt within the Alba Party amidst escalating tensions as the party braces for a leadership contest. Chris McEleny, the general secretary of the party, reportedly sought to proscribe the interim leader over allegations of bullying and harassment. MacAskill, a former Justice Secretary for the SNP, denounced the bid to exclude him from meetings as unauthorised and unconstitutional. Nonetheless, he is required to face the party’s disciplinary committee for insinuating that senior Alba Party members held fascist views. MacAskill is competing against Edinburgh MSP Ash Regan to take over from Alex Salmond as the party’s leader.
In an email, McEleny informed MacAskill that he was suspended from attending any party gatherings pending the conclusion of the probe into the allegations of bullying and harassment. MacAskill branded McEleny’s actions as exceeding his authority. He told The National, “An unauthorised and unconstitutional attempt was made to allegedly suspend me, Kenny MacAskill, by an individual acting outwith the limits of their powers.” The matter is now undergoing internal review, and MacAskill refrained from commenting further on internal disciplinary issues. A spokesperson for the Alba Party stated, “The proposal presented to the NEC was unauthorised, unconstitutional, and beyond the purview of the general secretary. The NEC promptly rejected the proposal, along with subsequent allegations. Internal disciplinary proceedings are now underway, and we are unable to provide further comments.”
In summary, tensions are on the rise within the Alba Party as leadership ambitions come to the fore, with Kenny MacAskill dodging a suspension bid orchestrated by the party’s general secretary. Amidst the internal strife, the party is gearing up for a leadership contest, setting the stage for a significant shift in the party’s direction and leadership. As Alba Party members navigate through these turbulent times, the outcome of the leadership competition remains highly anticipated, shaping the party’s trajectory moving forward.