Alex Salmond launches new independence-focused political party
Alex Salmond #AlexSalmond
Alex Salmond has launched a new political party in what he described as a bid to build a super-majority for independence in the next Scottish parliament and also to enable his return to Holyrood.
Launching the Alba party on Friday, he said the “new political force” expected to field a minimum of four candidates in each regional list, with the aim of electing Alba MSPs from every area of Scotland. Salmond also announced he would be a list candidate in the north-east region.
The former first minister announced the new party days after the publication of evidence to a Holyrood inquiry that described a culture of complicity around his allegedly inappropriate behaviour during his time in office.
The Scottish parliament elections will be held on 6 May.
Related: Salmond to launch fresh legal action against Scottish government over inquiry
On Wednesday, Salmond threatened further legal action against Leslie Evans, Scotland’s most senior civil servant, saying he felt compelled to do so because she “still refuses to accept real responsibility” for the expensive failures of the internal inquiry into harassment claims against him.
He also called for a police inquiry into the leak of the Scottish government’s botched harassment inquiry findings. Nicola Sturgeon, who was cleared of breaching the ministerial code over her dealings with Salmond around the claims, has made clear her support for Evans.
On Tuesday, the two women who originally made sexual harassment complaints against him described a culture of permissiveness at the heart of government, where a “blind eye” was turned. Following a subsequent police investigation and trial, a jury acquitted Salmond of all charges.
Salmond, who served as first minister of Scotland from 2007 to 2014, has previously served as MP and MSP for Banff and Buchan, where he continues to enjoy considerable local support.
Of the Scottish parliament’s MSPs, 73 are elected to represent first past the post constituencies, whilst the remaining 56 are elected by the additional member system.