FORMER First Minister Alex Salmond has ruled out a Holyrood return via a by-election should Mark McDonald resign from his position as an MSP for Aberdeen Donside.

McDonald has quit the SNP over sexual harassment allegations, but has so far refused to stand down as an MSP, despite his former party leader Nicola Sturgeon saying he should allow his constituents to vote somebody else in. You can read our latest story with the newest developments here.

The news about Salmond will no doubt come as a disappointment to many SNP supporters keen to see the former First Minister make a return to politics. He said he had had several inquiries from journalists, but told The National: “As I see it there’s no vacancy. And even if there were to be one, I wouldn’t be the candidate.”