EXCLUSIVE: Sheridan, who was jailed for perjury in 2010, has secured the top spot on the Glasgow regional list for the Alba Party.
Left-wing firebrand Tommy Sheridan is planning a sensational return to the Scottish Parliament after a break of almost 20 years.
The 61-year-old is standing as an Alba candidate and his chances of a shock political comeback have been handed a huge boost after he secured the party’s top spot on the Glasgow region list.
The pro-independence party was launched by the late Alex Salmond shortly before the last Holyrood election in 2021 but has so far failed to elect any MSPs.
The Record understands Alba members discussed Sheridan’s candidacy at a Burns Supper last week – with some of those present expressing the view his name recognition could finally help achieve an electoral breakthrough.
The party has struggled since Salmond’s sudden death in October 2024 and lost its only MSP last year when Ash Regan – who had previously defected from the SNP – cancelled her membership.
Alba is now planning for a make-or-break electoral campaign with new leader Kenny MacAskill – a former Nationalist minister – expected to stand on the regional list at May’s election. Former SNP MPs Angus McNeil, Corri Wilson and Neale Hanvey are also expected to run as Alba candidates.
But it is the announcement of Sheridan as a candidate that is likely to raise most eyebrows among members.
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The Record previously revealed how the ex-MSP was elected to Alba’s governing body last year – prompting rumours he was planning a political comeback.
Sheridan established himself as one of the best known politicians in Scotland in the early years of devolution after he was first elected as an MSP for the Scottish Socialist Party (SSP) in 1999.
But he was forced to resign as leader in 2004 and later endured a bitter fall-out with his SSP colleagues over his decision to sue the News of the World for defamation after the now defunct tabloid accused him of an extra-marital affair and visiting a swingers’ club in Manchester.
Sheridan won his case in August 2006 but conflicting evidence presented at the trial led to the judge warning several witnesses about the implications of perjuring themselves.
The now former MSP was charged with perjury in 2007 and was later jailed for three years following a lengthy trial in 2010.
After leaving the SSP to form Solidarity, the 61 year old appeared on Celebrity Big Brother and fronted a show for Russian state-backed channel Sputnik UK.
He was declared bankrupt in 2022 over an £82,000 legal bill.
An Alba insider told the Record: “Everybody knows about Tommy’s past.
“But voters instantly recognise him and he’s one of the few politicians in the country who can actually attract a crowd and be recognised in the street.
“If we’re going to take on Reform and other right-wing voices we need people like Tommy at the forefront of that.
“On the Glasgow list he’ll need around six per cent of the vote to get elected – and people in the party are confident that his message of independence and social justice will chime with the people of Glasgow.
“As an MSP he got warrant sales abolished and forced the SNP to deliver free prescriptions. He is an effective operator in parliament. It would certainly shake things up at Holyrood if Tommy returns.”
Sheridan declined to comment when approached by the Record.
The Record asked Alba for comment.