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| Alba general secretary suspended over gross misconduct claim | |
| (4 days later) | |
| Chris McEleny previously said he had stepped down from the role | Chris McEleny previously said he had stepped down from the role |
| Alba's general secretary has been suspended after being accused of gross misconduct. | Alba's general secretary has been suspended after being accused of gross misconduct. |
| The removal of Chris McEleny, a former SNP councillor, comes as infighting dominates the party's attempt to find a new leader following the death of founder Alex Salmond. | The removal of Chris McEleny, a former SNP councillor, comes as infighting dominates the party's attempt to find a new leader following the death of founder Alex Salmond. |
| McEleny is understood to have launched a separate complaint against acting leader and former justice secretary Kenny MacAskill. | McEleny is understood to have launched a separate complaint against acting leader and former justice secretary Kenny MacAskill. |
| The party said it could not comment on internal employment matters. It added that there had not been any disciplinary probe into MacAskill. | The party said it could not comment on internal employment matters. It added that there had not been any disciplinary probe into MacAskill. |
| McEleny announced last month that was stepping down as general secretary to ensure the new leader was "free to run the party differently". | McEleny announced last month that was stepping down as general secretary to ensure the new leader was "free to run the party differently". |
| However, it has now been confirmed that he was suspended from the role over allegations of gross misconduct. | However, it has now been confirmed that he was suspended from the role over allegations of gross misconduct. |
| Acting Alba leader Kenny MacAskill, a former SNP minister, has complained of an "unconstitutional" attempt to suspend him from party meetings | Acting Alba leader Kenny MacAskill, a former SNP minister, has complained of an "unconstitutional" attempt to suspend him from party meetings |
| The Scotsman reported that McEleny was accused of "disobeying direct orders from leadership and blocking office bearers from carrying out their duties". | |
| He is also alleged to have misrepresented the party's views on asylum seekers and Donald Trump in media statements. | He is also alleged to have misrepresented the party's views on asylum seekers and Donald Trump in media statements. |
| In one instance, McEleny raised what he called "legitimate" concerns about public funds being used to provide free bus travel for asylum seekers - a policy opposed by the Scottish Conservatives. | In one instance, McEleny raised what he called "legitimate" concerns about public funds being used to provide free bus travel for asylum seekers - a policy opposed by the Scottish Conservatives. |
| In another instance, he sent out a press release calling for Donald Trump to be made the chieftan of the Gourock Highland Games. | In another instance, he sent out a press release calling for Donald Trump to be made the chieftan of the Gourock Highland Games. |
| He said the Republican's "political or personal opinions should be deemed irrelevant" as it could help boost tourism in the west of Scotland. | He said the Republican's "political or personal opinions should be deemed irrelevant" as it could help boost tourism in the west of Scotland. |
| Bullying claim | Bullying claim |
| BBC Scotland News was told McEleny had been off work for most of this year due to ill health related to a "bullying and harassment" complaint he made against MacAskill. | BBC Scotland News was told McEleny had been off work for most of this year due to ill health related to a "bullying and harassment" complaint he made against MacAskill. |
| As recently as last week, he issued a press release announcing Alba's support for the Budget. | As recently as last week, he issued a press release announcing Alba's support for the Budget. |
| The National reported that McEleny tried to have MacAskill suspended from party meetings for allegations that included alluding that senior Alba members were "fascist". | |
| MacAskill and a party spokesperson described the attempt to suspend him as "unauthorised" and "unconstitutional". | MacAskill and a party spokesperson described the attempt to suspend him as "unauthorised" and "unconstitutional". |
| The party said there had not been any investigation into MacAskill's behaviour. | The party said there had not been any investigation into MacAskill's behaviour. |
| Ash Regan is challenging Kenny MacAskill for the party leadership | Ash Regan is challenging Kenny MacAskill for the party leadership |
| MacAskill and Alba's sole MSP Ash Regan are vying to succeed Salmond as the party's new leader. | MacAskill and Alba's sole MSP Ash Regan are vying to succeed Salmond as the party's new leader. |
| Regan, also a former SNP minister, told LBC that there appeared to be a "vacuum of leadership" and that the party seemed to be "descending into a bit of chaos and controversy". | |
| When asked about McEleny's suspension, she said she had stepped down from Alba's ruling body due to concerns about some of the decisions it had made. | When asked about McEleny's suspension, she said she had stepped down from Alba's ruling body due to concerns about some of the decisions it had made. |
| The MSP called for the party to unite, adding: "This kind of backbiting and division is not helping anyone." | The MSP called for the party to unite, adding: "This kind of backbiting and division is not helping anyone." |
| The timetable for Alba's leadership contest is yet to be announced. | The timetable for Alba's leadership contest is yet to be announced. |