CALLS have been made for the SNP to hand over a long lost bust of Alex Salmond – which has been stashed away for five years.
The sculpture was commissioned by party chiefs and unveiled by Nicola Sturgeon during a special reception at their Edinburgh base in 2011.
Friend and Alba politician Kenny MacAskill says it should come out of storage[/caption]
The former first minister passed away on October 12 last year[/caption]
It stayed in place for almost a decade but was put into storage in 2020 ahead of a revamp of the SNP head office but five years on it remains hidden from view.
Salmond’s friend and acting Alba leader Kenny Macaskill believes the Nats should take it out of storage and gift it to the late First Minister’s estate.
Speaking to the Scottish Sun, he said: “I think it’s rather shameful. It does seem rather petty.
“Alec was an outstanding individual and he was a great leader of the SNP despite leaving. They should remember the good times and stop being so childish.
“Alec is a huge part of modern Scottish history and he should be remembered.
“It seems to me that the bust should be used. It should go to the estate so it can be given to some public venue to be displayed. I would support that.
“It’s up to the SNP. But there are plenty places that would welcome having a public display of a bust of Alex Salmond.
“I’m sure the estate would be delighted to assist in that.”
It’s understood the artwork was commissioned by former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell to mark the party’s triumphant election victory.
It was unveiled by Ms Sturgeon, then Deputy First Minister during a reception for campaign staff in July 2011.
At the time, she hailed Salmond’s role in delivering an SNP landslide victory and added: “It was an upbeat, positive campaign that placed Scotland at its heart.
“At its core was our leader Alex. His leadership and his direction has put the party into position that it’s in now and Scotland on the verge of joining the international community in its own right.
“In recognition of this, the SNP has unveiled our tribute to him.”
Sculptor David Annand, who also produced a tribute to veteran SNP politican Winnie Ewing, said he was curious about his work’s whereabouts.
He backed calls for the bust to be taken out of storage, and added: “I’ve often wondered about it.
“It does sound a bit like airbrushing history, but it’s up to them. What people do with what I’ve done later on is up to them.
“I’d have thought it would still be there just out of respect for his achievement for when he was in the SNP. He kept them in power for a long time
“If the estate wants it, I think it would be a nice gesture to give it to the estate.
“I can’t think of anything else they could do with it.”
Nats sources refused to disclose where the bust is being stored but said the party had held discussions about plans for its future.
The SNP has been contacted for comment.
Earlier this week it emerged Mr Salmond died without a will, leaving his wife of more than 40 years facing the prospect of a costly and drawn-out settlement.
