SNP MPs Hanvey and MacAskill defect to Alex Salmond's Alba Party

Neale Hanvey has become the second SNP MP to leave the SNP and join the new Alba Party, which was launched by former first minister Alex Salmond on Friday. 

On Saturday, former Scottish justice secretary and close Salmond ally Kenny MacAskill confirmed he had quit the SNP to stand for the new pro-independence party at Holyrood.

Hanvey, who represents Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath, followed suit on Sunday and will now contest the Mid-Scotland and Fife regional list for his new party in May's Scottish Parliament election. Macaskill will look to be elected on the Lothian list. 

Salmond said the aim of Alba was to build a "supermajority for independence". It will only contest list seats but expects to field a minimum of four candidates in each regional list.

The ex-SNP leader will be standing on the North East list. The other candidates announced at the launch were Councillor Chris McEleny, Eva Comrie and Cynthia Guthrie. 

They have been followed by Councillor Lynne Anderson, former national equalities convener of the SNP, and Caroline McAllister, the party's former national women’s convener.

It has also been reported today that Michelle Ferns has become the fourth serving councillor to join Alba.