Alba Party faces financial crisis amid police fraud investigation

The Alba Party is facing severe financial difficulties after reporting itself to police over suspected fraud, according to party leader Kenny MacAskill. The pro-independence party, founded by former First Minister Alex Salmond, has been left in what MacAskill described as a "very difficult financial position" as investigators examine allegations of illegitimate expense claims and fake invoices.

Speaking to the Sunday Mail, MacAskill confirmed that the party believes it has been "the victim of a fraud" and is fully cooperating with the ongoing Police Scotland investigation. The development threatens to undermine the party's electoral prospects ahead of Scotland's parliamentary elections in May.

Background and Context

Alba was established in 2021 by Alex Salmond following his departure from the SNP, positioning itself as a more radical voice for Scottish independence. Salmond led the party until his death in October 2024, after which MacAskill took over as leader. The party has struggled to gain significant electoral traction since its formation, and now faces potentially existential challenges as it contends with both financial scrutiny and internal dissent.

Key Figures and Entities

The current crisis has prompted a cascade of senior departures from the party. In January, party chair Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh stepped down citing "personal reasons," followed more recently by Salmond's sister Gail Hendry, who resigned from the National Executive Committee. According to party sources quoted by media, the organization is now "clinging on by our fingernails" financially while simultaneously attempting to field candidates for the upcoming Holyrood elections.

Despite the turmoil, the party continues to attract high-profile candidates, including former Scottish Socialist MSP Tommy Sheridan, ex-SNP MP Angus MacNeil, and former SNP MSP Mike MacKenzie. However, internal divisions have surfaced notably in East Lothian, where members passed two votes of no confidence in MacAskill's leadership following the deselection of a local activist.

Legal and Financial Mechanisms

Police Scotland has confirmed that an investigation into alleged financial irregularities remains "ongoing," though specific details have not been publicly disclosed. The probe centers on suspected fraudulent expense claims and fabricated invoices submitted to party accounts. Such financial irregularities, if proven, could have serious implications for the party's compliance with electoral funding regulations and its ability to contest future elections.

The party has adopted an electoral strategy of not standing constituency candidates in May's elections, instead urging supporters to vote for Alba on the regional list while backing other pro-independence parties in constituency contests. This tactical approach aims to maximize independence representation through proportional representation, but may be compromised by the current financial and leadership crises.

Sources

This report draws on statements made to the Sunday Mail, official comments from Police Scotland, and public records regarding the Alba Party's candidate list for the 2026 Scottish Parliament elections.