Former SNP MP Angus MacNeil joins Alba Party and could stand in Holyrood election

Former SNP MP Angus MacNeil has joined the Alba Party.

MacNeil represented the Na h-Eileanan an Iar (Western Isles) seat at Westminster until he was suspended by the party and subsequently expelled in 2023 following a row with the then-chief whip, Brendan O’Hara.

He had been a frequent critic of both the leadership of Humza Yousaf and Nicola Sturgeon. In a letter posted on social media in July following his suspension, he said he would not rejoin the SNP group unless it was clear it was “pursuing independence”.

Following his expulsion, he sat as an independent MP but with the Scotland United group with then Alba MPs Kenny MacAskill and Neale Hanvey.

All three lost their seats in July’s Westminster election.

Announcing his move to Alba, which was led by former first minister Alex Salmond until his death in October, MacNeil hit out at the “clueless and disinterested hierarchy” of the SNP and teased a potential run for Holyrood in 2026.

He said: “There are a lot of good people in the SNP, but they can’t achieve anything on independence when the clueless and disinterested hierarchy has thwarted debate for years and I certainly know about that.

“Even now independence is not in the motions at their upcoming National Council meeting.

“It is six years since the SNP hierarchy proclaimed it didn’t need a Plan B, and then when the Plan A ran out, they hadn’t a clue what to do.”

On the forthcoming Scottish Parliament elections, MacNeil said: “I might put myself forward if there were indications that people wanted me to do that. If it helps to kick start independence I would do.”

Alba Party general secretary Chris McEleny said the politician would not be the last “high profile” new member of the party in the coming weeks and months.

He added: “Angus is one of the most experienced Parliamentarians in Scotland.

“He led the charge against Tony Blair which many at the time thought influenced his decision to go. His experience as the former Chair of the Energy Select committee will be warmly welcomed in Alba Party as we continue to promote policies that highlight the absurdity of fuel poor Scots living in an energy rich Scotland.

“Alex Salmond was in discussions with Angus to join the party so it is fitting that he has decided to do so after Saturday’s magnificent memorial service to our former leader.”