John Swinburne weighed into the debate about the thousands of spoiled ballot papers yesterday, blaming Alex Salmond's name appearing at the top of his regional list for the loss of his seat.

Mr Swinburne, president of the Scottish Senior Citizens' Unity Party, was elected on a mandate of more than 17,000 votes in the list vote in the 2003 election as the sole representative of the party in the Scottish Parliament.

He said yesterday: "I lost because Alex Salmond for First Minister' appeared at the top of the regional list.

"It just doesn't make sense otherwise. I had 600 fewer votes on the left-hand side the list side of the ballot than the right the constituency vote.

"Alex Salmond's name was at the top of the left-hand side but he wasn't standing in the central region. If you saw Alex Salmond's name on the top of the list you would presume that you're voting for him, wouldn't you? Of course you would. It's sharp practice.

"There's no other way to explain the thousands of spoiled ballots other than that people were confused by the way the names were displayed.

"I complained to the Electoral Commission, saying this was tantamount to electoral fraud but they told me it was within the rules."

Mr Swinburne added "You win some and you lose some. I have had a very enjoyable four years serving central Scotland. I'm thinking of starting a party for spoiled ballots. It should do quite well."

12:01am Saturday 5th May 2007

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