The Alba Party is to be wound up after its National Executive Committee voted to de register the party following the presentation of updated accounts showing it is no longer financially viable.
The decision was taken during a meeting of the party’s NEC held in Perth on Sunday after the Treasurer and auditors presented the 2024 accounts on what was described as a “break up” basis.
Party leaders told members that the financial position meant the party could no longer operate as a going concern.
Following discussions with the Electoral Commission, the leadership said the only realistic options were voluntary de registration or statutory removal from the register.
The NEC has now taken the decision to de register the party, meaning it will not field candidates in the forthcoming Scottish Parliament election.
In a message to party members, Alba leader Kenny MacAskill responded to claims made by the self described Alba Continuation Group.
“They claimed £20,000 had been raised.
“I can advise that not one penny has been received by Alba HQ from them despite our dire financial plight.
“In any event sums raised could not go for election campaigning but would require to meet existing liabilities.
“Irrespective of that nothing was ever forthcoming from them.
“They wished to take over the Leadership of the Party.
“They were advised that they should specify the democratic basis and constitutional authority for doing so.
“No answer was ever provided.
“They indicated that they had provided an indemnity for the NEC for sums due by the Party for which individual members of the NEC remain liable.
“That is just not true.
“Neither a legal indemnity nor any indication of the credit worthiness of those proposing to provide it was ever forthcoming.
“With the backdrop of membership continuing to hemorrhage and income plummet.
“In no small part due to the acrimony generated by those claiming to have the Party’s best interests at heart though seemingly more intent on pursuing their own political ambitions.
“Current liabilities far exceed both cash at hand and projected income.”
The party’s approved 2024 accounts also highlighted the scale of the financial problems.
“Over the past two months but more significantly since 21 February, a sustained internal campaign of disruption and repeated press briefings and significant negative media coverage have inflicted serious reputational damage on the Party.
“This has resulted in a marked decline in membership and income, to the extent that the party can no longer be considered a going concern.
“While the most recent audited accounts appeared, on the face of it, to show improvement compared with the financial position in 2023 they are now over fourteen months out of date and do not reflect the current financial reality.”
Alba Party leader Neale Hanvey said the NEC had been left with no alternative but to wind up the party.
“This is not where any of us wanted us to be or expected us to be but the fact is that a fraud was perpetrated against the party and that has led to a catastrophic domino effect of £36,000 being withheld by the Electoral Commission and a contingent liability for £108,000 which has already been spent.
“In addition as the Treasurer and Auditor have made clear our outgoings far exceed current income.
“In these circumstances the NEC has taken the only responsible decision open to it to de register the Party.
“Throughout this difficult period the leadership has acted professionally and in accordance with our statutory obligations to protect the party from any further financial exposure and to minimise the potential financial liabilities which fall on individual members of the NEC.”
Kenny MacAskill also thanked members for their support and said the party’s wider cause would continue.
“I wish to place on record my grateful thanks to the membership for their efforts for our party and for our cause.
“It has been a privilege to work with them.
“We can be proud of what we sought to achieve and also the support which we gave to our Founder in his time of need.
“We will continue to support Moira Salmond, assist those pursuing justice in the courts for Alex and launch an Awards Foundation in his memory for the benefit of young people.
“The dream shall never die, parties as with individuals are mortal, but our cause is eternal.”
