Kenny MacAskill is "somewhat of a relief" after he quit to join the newly-formed Alba Party. Alex Salmond launched his latest political project on Friday as a means to create a "supermajority" of pro-independence supporters in Holyrood.
Former Scottish justice secretary Mr MacAskill is the first big SNP name to defect to the new party, although former SNP councillor Chris McEleny is standing as a candidate for the Alba Party in the upcoming Scottish Parliament elections.
The National reports that the East Lothian MP wrote to his staff: "I will be joining the newly-formed Alba Party to deliver a supermajority for independence through the list vote and which I believe is essential to achieving our nation's independence."The SNP have called.
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