THE treasurer of the SNP has quashed speculation of a move to the Alba Party.
However, he has urged Yes supporters to "build bridges" across the movement ahead of the May 6 election.
Two serving MPs — Kenny MacAskill and Neale Hanvey — are amongst numerous figures to have defected to Alex Salmond's new list-only party since it was announced on Friday.
That move has also seen two new pro-independence parties — Action for Independence (AFI) and the Independence for Scotland Party (ISP) — withdraw every one of their candidates to get behind Salmond's plan for a Yes "supermajority" in Holyrood.
It had been suggested that Douglas Chapman, MP for Fife and Dunfermline West, would join the new Westminster Alba grouping.
The politician has served as the SNP's national treasurer since last year's internal contest and would the defection, it had been suggested, would have been a significant boost to Alba.
In light of speculation, I remain committed to continuing to serve my constituents & to campaign for an independent Scotland as an SNP MP. Let’s win a majority #SP21 & build bridges across the YES movement as #TeamScotland to win our ultimate prize. #IndependentScotland
— Douglas Chapman MP 🏴 (@DougChapmanSNP) March 30, 2021
However, Chapman has today dismissed all rumour in a short statement which read: "I remain committed to continuing to serve my constituents and to campaigning for an independent Scotland as an SNP MP.
"Let’s win a majority... and build bridges across the YES movement as #TeamScotland to win our ultimate prize."
Chapman, who is the SNP's small business, enterprise and innovation spokesperson at Westminster, succeeded Colin Beattie in the post as SNP treasurer.
The MSP is seeking re-election in Midlothian North and Musselburgh, having held that seat since 2011.
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