Salmond quizzed over seat 'deal'

Alex Salmond says he is committed to Banff and Buchan

SNP leadership contender Alex Salmond has come under fire over his plans to get back into the Scottish Parliament.

He is hoping to return to Holyrood by becoming MSP for Banff and Buchan.

But another leadership candidate, Mike Russell, has demanded Mr Salmond disclose the deal he has done with the existing MSP.

Stewart Stevenson, who holds the seat for the SNP, won it in a 2001 by-election to replace Mr Salmond who was returning to Westminster.

The issue was raised after a hustings meeting in East Kilbride on Friday night where Mr Salmond was asked by a questioner if he would "take the fight to Labour" by returning to Holyrood as a central belt MSP.

Mr Salmond, who is MP for Banff and Buchan, said he planned to stick with that constituency, whose interests he had always put first.

'Just Scotland'

He told the meeting: "I have stood for one party, in one seat.

"I intend to continue to stand for one party, the SNP, in Banff and Buchan.

"I intend to win, in the north-east of Scotland, a seat in the Scottish Parliament."

Attacking Mr McConnell as a "mediocre" first minister who lacked ideas and vision, Mr Salmond went on: "We have a vision and a policy platform and a commitment to independence.

"And my commitment to you is that I will stand for that election, I will beat Mr McConnell, and I will do it on our vision of an independent, free and socially just Scotland."

SNP members are not sheep, to be driven hither and yon, and no potential leader should ever behave as if he thought they were Mike Russell SNP leadership contender

But Mr Russell pointed out that the Holyrood seat of Banff and Buchan had been won by Mr Stevenson in a 2001 by-election to enable Mr Salmond to return to Westminster.

He said: "From Alex's public statement at the hustings, now it would appear there is to be another round of musical chairs to reverse the situation.

"When the music stops - if the party members and the electorate play ball - Alex Salmond will once again be an MSP."

He said Mr Stevenson was already on record as saying he would not stand down from the seat unless requested by the party.

Mr Russell went on: "Has that request, in fact, been made in the middle of a leadership election?

"Has Alex Salmond already discussed taking over Stewart Stevenson's seat, and on what basis?

"Have party selection committees, or indeed, the voters no say in all this, or are they just to do as they are bidden?"

He said: "All of these questions demand immediate answers.

"It underlines my earlier statement that SNP members are not sheep, to be driven hither and yon, and no potential leader should ever behave as if he thought they were."