Alex Salmond to stand as MP in next General Election

Former SNP leader Alex Salmond is to stand as an MP at next year's General Election.

He is expected to formally announce his candidacy on Sunday (7 December.)

He will contest the seat in the UK parliamentary constituency of Gordon currently held by Lib Dem MP Sir Malcolm Bruce, who is retiring in May 2015.

Mr Salmond stood down as SNP leader and Scotland's first minister after the "Yes" campaign was defeated in September's independence referendum.

The referendum on Scotland's future saw voters turn out to reject independence by 55% to 45%, on a turnout of almost 85%.

Resigning from his position as first minister in the Scottish Parliament he said in his speech that the job was the "privilege of my life".

It was widely speculated that Mr Salmond would seek to return to Westminster after he announced he was stepping down as first minister.

Mr Salmond first hinted that he was considering standing for a seat in the general election, during the BBC's Question Time, last October.

He currently represents the constituency of Aberdeenshire East in the Scottish Parliament and had indicated he would continue in that role.

Speaking last week, Mr Salmond said it was unlikely that the SNP would be part of a formal coalition government with Labour at Westminster.

He is set to deliver a speech in Gordon, where his election battle will commence.