Police investigate 'irregularities' in Alba Party finances

Kenny MacAskill became leader of the party following the death of Alba founder Alex Salmond

Police are investigating "irregularities" in the finances of the Alba Party after a complaint was raised by the party's leadership in May.

It follows a row between the party and its former general secretary, Chris McEleny, who was dismissed earlier this year after initially being suspended for alleged gross misconduct.

A source close to McEleny said he was "completely content that the finances of the party under the leadership of Alex Salmond were both sound and compliant".

But an Alba Party spokesperson said Salmond had "concerns about the management of the party".

Chris McEleny was suspended from his role as general secretary in February

They said the party's former leader instigated a review of its operations and finances while he was alive as a result of his concerns.

The spokesperson added that "subsequently a number of internal financial and administrative irregularities have come to light before and after the former general secretary was dismissed".

They said: "In line with our legal and fiduciary duties, these concerns have now been passed to the relevant authorities."

Kenny MacAskill, a former SNP justice secretary, became leader of the Alba Party in March after the sudden death of the former first minister in October last year.

Alex Salmond died in October last year

A source close to McEleny said he was pursuing a case for unfair dismissal by the party through an employment tribunal.

They said he was "bitterly disappointed about any suggestion that Alex Salmond was complicit in not being fully aware of how his political party was being run."

The source said that, while McEleny was general secretary, the party was "serviced by a professional accountancy firm and Chris is completely content that the finances of the party under the leadership of Alex Salmond were both sound and compliant".

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "On 26 May, we received a complaint from the Alba Party in relation to irregularities within their finances. The investigation into this matter is ongoing."