An SNP councillor and a senior party office bearer have become the latest figures to defect to Alex Salmond’s new pro-independence party.
Shahid Farooq, who represents a ward in North Lanarkshire, and veteran independence supporter Dot Jessiman have switched to Alba Party.
Salmond launched Alba - a rival to the SNP - last week after a bitter fallout with former protege Nicola Sturgeon.
Alba intends to field candidates on the regional lists for the Holyrood election, with Salmond standing in the North East.
High profile defections so far have included MPs Kenny MacAskill and Neale Hanvey, as well as Inverclyde councillor Chris McEleny.
Ex-boxer Alex Arthur was also announced as a candidate, but the news was marred after he apologised for making nasty comments about beggars.
Another Alba candidate, Dr Jim Walker, apologised after it emerged he had called Sturgeon a "cow".
Farooq will contest the regional list in Glasgow while Jessiman, who has resigned as a member of the SNP national executive committee, will contest the North East of Scotland list for Alba.
Farooq, an entrepreneur, said: “There is huge enthusiasm for the new Party across the communities of Scotland. It has galvanised the national movement. I am looking forward to the election contest since it gives the chance to speak about independence.”
Jessiman, who has been a member of the SNP since 1988, said: “I am proud to stand with Alex Salmond in the North East of Scotland. ALBA is putting down real roots in our communities and opportunity for Scotland beckons. Instead of wasting list votes on the SNP, the switch to ALBA opens up the prospect of an independence #Supermajority in the next Parliament.
"My message in this election is both votes YES; SNP in the constituencies and ALBA for the regional list.”
