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Alba chief suspended over gross misconduct claim

PA Media Chris McEleny, a fair haired man wearing a blue suit shirt and tie, photographed in the Scottish Parliament. He is visible from the chest up. PA Media
Chris McEleny previously said he had stepped down from the role

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.

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.

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.

PA Media Kenny MacAskill, a grey-haired bespectacled man, speaks at an event while holding a silver microphone in front of his chest. He is wearing a dark jacket over a denim shirt. A blue Alba sign is in the background. PA Media
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.

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.

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

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.

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".

The party said there had not been any investigation into MacAskill's behaviour.

PA Media Ash Regan, a woman with red hair, looks to her right while speaking. She is visible from the shoulders up and wearing a blue jacket and green top. PA Media
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.

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.

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.