Party machines 'strangling' Holyrood's ability to scrutinise government, says Alex Salmond ally

A former Cabinet secretary for health and an ally of Alex Salmond has said Holyrood is being “strangled” by controlling party machines, leading to a decline in the quality of debate in the Scottish Parliament.

Alex Neil who served as health secretary under Mr Salmond between 2012 to 2014 and as a minister under Nicola Sturgeon, said the hold over members by parties had also highlighted “fundamental flaws” in how Holyrood holds government to account, most clearly shown during the Holyrood inquiry into the Scottish Government’s handling of harassment complaints.

The MSP for Airdrie and Shotts, who is due to retire following the election in May, was reflecting on his 22 years in the Scottish Parliament as a member of the class of 1999 in the coming episode of The Scotsman’s new political podcast The Steamie.