Alba party leader claims financial woes are 'result of fraud'

The Alba Party’s financial difficulties are the result of it being defrauded, according to leader Kenny MacAskill.

The pro-independence party told members at the weekend it was in a “perilous financial state” and wasn’t likely to field candidates at the Scottish Parliament elections in May.

Speaking to STV News, MacAskill said the party had lost tens of thousands of pounds to fraud, which is now being investigated by police.

“At the present moment, if we are unable to contest the election, then I think you have to question what the nature of our political party is,” said MacAskill.

“But that’s a matter, first of all, for the national executive to decide upon whether we are able to stand, even though it’s looking unlikely.

“It’s not for me – it’s for the national executive to discuss. Once we’ve heard from the Electoral Commission, and ultimately it’ll be a decision that will require us engage with the party members of, but the situation is sadly, as a result of a serious fraud perpetrated upon us, looking grim.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “On May 26, 2025, we received a complaint from the Alba Party in relation to irregularities within their finances.

“The investigation into this matter is ongoing.”

In an email to members, MacAskill set out a number of difficulties experienced by Alba, adding that he expects matters around the police investigation into the finances to “progress further shortly”.

He also mentioned the departure of the party’s sole MSP Ash Regan, who quit in October 2025 after an acrimonious leadership election earlier in the year.

Writing to Alba members on Saturday, he said: “I can assure you of integrity of current staff and elected office bearers but neither that nor justice being done addresses the perilous financial position which we find ourselves in as a result.

“Despite the sterling efforts of Corri Wilson, our director of operations, in stabilising and then seeking to turn matters around our financial position remains acute.”

He said the party was no longer able to meet requirements to file accounts to the Electoral Commission, meaning that “fighting an election is simply beyond our resources”.

His letter said: “I have to advise that it looks likely that we will not be able to register and therefore even to contest the election.

“That brings also into question the viability of a party which neither has financial resource nor the ability to contest elections.

“I know this will come as a bitter blow to you.”

Chirstina Hendry, who is Salmond’s niece, said she was frustrated by the leadership’s statement and would work to ensure the party can continue.

She released a statement saying: “The decision to de-register the party should not rest with a handful of members in the leadership team, some of whom have no electoral mandate. It belongs to you, the entire Alba Party membership.

“The party leadership have put in an extraordinary amount of work over the past year and have done so in very trying circumstances.

“However the fight is not over and if they are now unable or unwilling to continue, they should allow the opportunity to those that will.

“I am not prepared to stand by and watch my uncle’s legacy discarded and the cause of independence abandoned.”

Former MP Angus B MacNeil was selected as Alba’s lead candidate for the Highlands regional list.

He posted on X: “Despite temporary blips, Alba candidates will standing at the Holyrood Elections in May. Independence matters.”