Alba Party general secretary to step down when successor to Alex Salmond found

A key aide to Alex Salmond has insisted it is “only fair” he steps down as Alba Party general secretary when a new leader is installed.

Chris McEleny said he was stepping aside from the role so that Mr Salmond’s successor would be “free to run the party differently” from the former first minister if they wish.

Mr Salmond’s death in October at a conference in North Macedonia leaves the Alba Party – which he founded after quitting the SNP – searching for a new leader.

Alba deputy leader and former Holyrood justice secretary Kenny MacAskill has taken on the leadership on an acting basis, until the party can choose new office bearers at a rearranged party conference in March.

A leadership contest could also be held that month, if an election is needed to choose Mr Salmond’s successor, with the winner potentially announced late in March.

Alba currently has one MSP, with former Scottish Government minister Ash Regan the party’s Holyrood leader.

But Mr McEleny said while he is stepping down as the party’s general secretary he is looking forward to the 2026 Holyrood elections and “helping lead the first ever Alba group of MSPs into the Scottish Parliament”.

In a letter to Alba Party members, Mr McEleny spoke about his relationship with Mr Salmond – who he described as “simply the best boss and friend anyone could ask for” – as he announced his decision to step down.

Mr McEleny stated: “It was a great honour to have been so trusted and valued by Alex Salmond over much of the past decade. To be the only person that he single-handedly picked out to run his new party for him was a real privilege.

“My relationship with Alex as my boss and friend will live with me for the rest of my life. At times we were almost telepathically linked in terms of carrying out his instructions.”

Mr McEleny continued: “I have today notified the Alba Party chair that after the new permanent leader of the party is elected it is only fair that I shall tender to them my resignation so that they can be free to run the party differently from how Alex wanted, if that is the mandate they wish to fulfil.

“I look forward ahead of the next Scottish election of continuing to help Alba Party grow and to play a part in helping lead the first ever Alba group of MSPs into the Scottish Parliament.”