Kenny MacAskill MP this afternoon announced he was deserting Nicola Sturgeon to stand for the newly-launched Alba party in May's Holyrood elections. Mr Blackford, played down the gravity of the defection and said he was glad the party was shot of Mr MacAskill. Mr MacAskill, a former Scottish justice secretary under Mr Salmond, hit back live on Sky News: 'I think that's very dispiriting from Ian Blackford. The Yes movement encompasses not just the SNP, not just the Alba party, but people of no party. In an article for The Scotsman, he wrote: 'As a list party, Alba won't be seeking to win converts from those who oppose independence.

Source: The Nation March 27, 2021 15:00 UTC