Alba members offer to step in to help contest Scottish election

Four senior Alba figures have offered to form a transition team to try to allow the party to contest the Scottish Parliament election after leader Kenny MacAskill said the party faces a perilous financial position.

Four senior members of the Alba Party have offered to take over responsibilities to try to ensure the party can contest the Scottish Parliament election in May. Leader Kenny MacAskill has said the party is in a "perilous financial position" and is unlikely to field candidates, describing an "immediate crisis" in an email to members. The four — Tommy Sheridan, Angus MacNeil, Christina Hendry and Suzanne Blackley — said the current leadership "feel unable to continue" and that a transition team could be allowed to take the party forward. There is also a reported police investigation into alleged irregularities in the party's finances. Key points: - Kenny MacAskill has said Alba is struggling financially and is unlikely to register or field candidates for the 7 May election at present. - Four senior figures have offered to form a transition team to enable the party to contest the Scottish Parliament election. - The group has called for a full membership vote, the launch of a "fighting fund," and talks with the existing leadership about a transition. - A police inquiry into alleged financial irregularities in Alba's accounts has been reported. Summary: Any change of leadership or plan to fight the election would need to be financially viable and carry a democratic mandate, the leader has said. The group has proposed specific steps including a membership vote and fundraising, but whether the party will be able to field candidates in May is undetermined at this time.