Salmond's political return raises 'significant questions' according to Nicola Sturgeon
The former First Minister entered the Holyrood election race with his newly-formed Alba party on Friday
Last updated 27th Mar 2021
There are “significant questions” about Alex Salmond’s return to frontline politics, according to Nicola Sturgeon.
On the campaign trail in Glasgow the SNP leader told Tay FM News: “There are significant questions about the appropriateness of his return to public office.”
On Friday the former First Minister announced the formation to the Alba Party, with the aim of creating a pro-independence ‘super-majority’ in May’s Scottish Parliament elections.
Mr Salmond will be standing Party on the North East regional list section.
Launching the new party in an online event on Friday, he said: “Today Alba are hoisting a flag in the wind, planting our Saltire on a hill. In the next few weeks we will see how many will rally to our standard.”
The launch comes after a turbulent period for the SNP and the Scottish Government, led by Mr Salmond's successor Ms Sturgeon.
She tweeted: “These are serious times, and the country needs serious leadership.
“For a steady hand to steer us through crisis, a bold policy platform to kickstart recovery and the chance to choose independence when the crisis has passed, make it #BothVotesSNP”
Mr Salmond said his party would be carrying a “positive” campaign and urged voters to back the SNP or another pro-independence party in the constituency seats.
The Alba Party will only be standing candidates in the regional lists in an attempt to boost separatist numbers in Holyrood.