Alba Party: Chris McEleny sacked for misconduct

The former general secretary of the Alba Party has been sacked as its leadership contest continues.

Chris McEleny held the role for the duration of Alex Salmond's leadership of the pro-independence party.

It is currently preparing to elect a successor to Salmond, following his death last year. Ash Regan MSP and deputy leader Kenny MacAskill have emerged as contenders.

Now it has emerged that McEleny has been dismissed and his membership is under review.

MacAskill told Sky News: "The NEC has terminated his employment, and he has been notified of his dismissal for gross misconduct."

McEleny, a former councillor, had announced his intention to stand for deputy leader of the party. Former MP Neale Hanvey is also running for that role.

The development comes after MacAskill was accused of bullying and harassment. He said he had been subject to an "unconstitutional attempt" to suspend him by "an individual acting outwith the limits of their powers".

MacAskill has denied bullying and McEleny has said he will appeal his dismissal.

McEleny told Sky News: "Alex Salmond used to always tell me that in a political party rational people need to bump along with each other.

"Sadly we have not seen people bumping along with each other when either means they have not been acting rationally, or it means they are not in a position that they are fit to lead a political party."

Meanwhile, Regan told the broadcaster that a lack of leadership since Salmond's death has "allowed the party to drift". She said: "We are leaderless and it is descending in to a little bit of chaos right now."