ALEX Salmond will not be debating George Galloway in a special show chaired by former BBC journalist Andrew Neil, despite Galloway's claims to the contrary.

The former First Minister said all of his party's efforts were focused elsewhere and that the former Labour MP's claims were untrue.

Galloway, who is now a part of the All for Unity (A4U) party, posted an announcement to Twitter this afternoon in which he claimed to have heard confirmation of the news.

He claimed the debate would be broadcast on Spectator TV, which is linked to the right-wing magazine of which Neil is chairman.

The hardline Unionist also chairs the newly founded GB News, which has drawn comparisons to Fox News in the US but is yet to launch.

READ MORE: George Galloway endorses social media post comparing SNP to Nazis

Salmond and Galloway have both pushed to be included in leaders’ debates on STV and the BBC.

However, while Salmond leads the Alba party, Galloway is not the leader of A4U. He is listed on the party’s website as its nominating officer and lead spokesperson, but Jamie Blackett is the party’s leader.

Sharing Galloway’s announcement on Twitter, Blackett wrote: “Seconds out. Round one.”

Galloway said: “I’m glad to say that Mr Alex Salmond will debate me, courtesy of Mr Andrew Neil and on Spectator TV.

“Mr Salmond didn’t accept it directly with me but I am given to understand that towards the end of this month the heavyweight ‘rumble in the heather’ will take place.”

However, Alex Salmond confirmed to The National that Galloway's claims are categorically untrue.

The former First Minister said his party's "entire efforts are focusing on forcing the BBC to accept the democratic imperative to allow the leader of Alba to debate the other leaders" on their platform.

Galloway initially challenged Salmond to a debate on April 5.

The former Labour MP wrote to Salmond: “I am writing to draw your attention to Andrew Neil’s offer to chair a debate between you - the leader of the ‘independence’ list party - and me - the lead candidate of the ‘unity’ list party.

“This is the debate that the public have been longing for. Box office, TV gold. The heavyweights of Scottish politics.”

READ MORE: Scottish Tories fear losing up to six seats to Galloway's All for Unity party

Neil’s offer had been made on Twitter, where he wrote: “Yes. I would be very happy to host such a debate on Spectator TV. Just the two of them, with me in the chair.”

An A4U spokesperson previously said: “Just as the Green Party only register Lorna Slater as their leader on the Electoral Commission website, we have a leadership team.

“We're clear that George is our lead spokesperson and he is listed as such on our website and indeed on Wikipedia.

“George looks forward to debating Mr Salmond and is happy to do so anytime, any place.”