Silence over fraud probe call

COUNCIL chiefs have thrown up a wall of silence after being urged to launch a fraud probe into pro-independence activists claiming tens of thousands of pounds in Covid support grants “for the indy cause”.

The Tele revealed in September how community Yes hubs Brechin Blether In and Forfar Blether In received £10,000 each from a scheme designed to help businesses struggling during the pandemic.

Activists were coached how to apply for the cash by SNP officer Dr Tim Rideout, who boasted of making £50,000 “for the indy cause” in a single day through the scheme and encouraged successful applicants to make a “wee donation” to his campaign group.

He has said no such donation was ever made.

The two hubs are now at the centre of fresh concerns after the Tele uncovered that activists have been storing and sharing papers promoting the SNP and its leaders from their Angus bases, despite telling officials they are not party political.

Inverclyde Council launched its own investigation into a similar group, called Yes Inverclyde, which was able to bank £10,000 after claiming it was promoting a “philosophical position” rather than any one party.

We can reveal activists in Angus have been storing and sharing the same papers at the centre of the Inverclyde investigation after claiming their own Covid support cash.

According to social media posts, 4,000 Yes papers will be distributed from the hub in Forfar.

Brechin Blether In did not respond to questions about how many have been sent out from their store but told followers on Facebook that “Blether In volunteers are currently distributing this free paper around Brechin and Edzell”.

Angus Council declined to say whether it has passed any details to its own corporate fraud team.

Scottish Conservative Covid recovery spokesman Murdo Fraser called on Angus Council to investigate.

Brechin Blether In provided no further response.

Bill Golden from Forfar Blether In was also approached for comment.