Ash Regan has said that she could readmit Alex Salmond to the SNP if she wins the party's leadership contest.
The MSP for Edinburgh Eastern said that she had not spoken to Salmond since Nicola Sturgeon resigned as First Minister.
But when she was asked if she would readmit Salmond to the party, Regan said: "If people want to join the SNP they are free to do that."
Former First Minister Salmond quit the SNP in 2018 after he was accused of sexual misconduct. He was acquitted of charges made against him in 2020.
The former First Minister became Alba leader in 2021.
Regan told the Scottish Sun: “Political parties want to have as many members as possible. If people want to join the SNP, they are free to do that.”
But she added: “I’d assume that, as he has set up his own political party, he’s probably quite happy where he is.”
Regan also said that the Scottish Greens were holding the SNP "hostage" in the Scottish Government coalition.
The SNP and Scottish Greens entered into a coalition following the 2021 Scottish Parliament election.
Green leaders Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater are both members of the Government.
Regan told BBC's The Sunday Show: "We're in a coalition government with the Green Party, and we can't have a situation where the tail is wagging the dog.
"The SNP got 45% of the vote at the last election, and the Greens are 4% and can't be held hostage by that situation.
"There is a perception out there in society, that the government is not prioritising things that are of importance to the people of Scotland.
"I want to reprioritise on the things that the people in Scotland think are really important, things like the NHS, the cost of living crisis, and the economy."
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