SNP Leadership contest 2004

'A party that would see J Arthur McNumptie (no offence) elected rather than politicians with real ability - Andrew Wilson, Mike Russell, Margo MacDonald - deserves political oblivion.' Stewart Kirkpatrick in the Scotsman, 2 nd May 2003.

SNP rivals reject Salmond 'proxy'

By Tom Gordon, Scottish Political Correspondent in the Herald 21 st July 2004

A FRESH row broke out in the SNP leadership race yesterday, after Alex Salmond suggested sending his running mate to the hustings while he was busy elsewhere.

It is believed Mr Salmond's camp approached the organisers of two hustings Ð the first in Edinburgh tomorrow, the second in Perth on Monday - and asked if Nicola Sturgeon could act as his proxy in the leadership debate.

Mr Salmond is believed to have had trouble rearranging his diary after making a dramatic last-minute entry into the leadership contest last week, in which Ms Sturgeon declared she was running on a joint ticket as his deputy.

However, the idea that she could fill his seat on the campaign trail as well as Holyrood was swiftly killed off by both Mr Salmond's rivals for leader refusing to co-operate.

Roseanna Cunningham said she found the idea of a stand-in "completely unacceptable". She said: "If Alex doesn't want to turn up to a meeting that's his decision ... I won't accept a substitute in a general election campaign, and I won't accept one in this one."

Mike Russell added: "Leadership candidates require to debate the issues with leadership candidates. Nicola should stay in her own league and debate with the other deputy leadership candidates."

Ms Sturgeon said the idea had been floated only briefly before being dropped, adding that Mr Salmond had since confirmed his appearance at other hustings and she had no plans to deputise for him elsewhere on the campaign trail.