SSP leadership contest hots up
Two candidates have put themselves forward for the leadership of the Scottish Socialist Party.
MSP Colin Fox is to stand against policy co-ordinator Alan McCombes as the party looks for a successor to Tommy Sheridan, who stood down in November, amid allegations about his private life.
Mr Sheridan was the SSP’s single representative in the first Holyrood term after being elected MSP for Glasgow.
He was later joined by five new members – Mr Fox, Rosie Kane, Rosemary Byrne, Carolyn Leckie and Frances Curran.
The SSP has adopted interim “collective” rule until a new leader emerges.
Mr McCombes – co-founder of the party with Mr Sheridan – nominated himself to avoid the “coronation” of his rival.
The new leader will be unveiled at a conference in February.
