Sturgeon under pressure on ‘cash for votes’ claims

Tories accuse SNP of using public cash to sway voters in local poll

Nicola Sturgeon is facing fresh accusations her administration ignored election rules in an attempt to sway voters with cash pledges.

The Tories are demanding answers as to why nearly £2 million was promised for fishing and crofting in the run-up to yesterday’s local election.

It follows a “cash for votes” complaint lodged on Wednesday by Ross Thomson MSP on the announcement of £8.4m for regeneration in Glasgow, a key target council for the SNP.

Mr Thomson said the unveiling of £1m for 29 crofters, and another £1m for fishing from an EU fund run by Marine Scotland – both within nine days of the election – “stinks to high heaven”.

The Tory MSP said it looked like the SNP Government was using taxpayers’ cash to try and win votes.

He added: “This has been a damning 24 hours of silence from Nicola Sturgeon. She needs to come out of hiding and explain the actions of her government.

“On her watch, ministers have been announcing government funding and promoting government investment in communities where her party is campaigning in vital local and UK-wide elections.

“Above all, Scotland deserves response from the First Minister.

“There are clear rules on how government should behave in the run-up to an election. It looks to many voters that the only rule the SNP has followed is how best to use taxpayers’ cash to win votes.

Nearly £950,000 was awarded on April 25 to help crofters in remote parts of the country build or improve homes, while the day after Brexit secretary Michael Russell announced £1m for Seafood Scotland.

Civil servants must take “particular a care” in the weeks before a local election over spending announcements, in case they could have an impact on campaigns, according to official guidance.

An SNP spokesman said: “This is really desperate stuff from the Tories who seem to think the entire business of government needs to shut down for every single election.”

It looks to many voters that the only rule the SNP has followed is how best to use taxpayers’ cash to win votes. ROSS THOMSON MSP

Picture: PA. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon meets Patricia Watson outside her home in Toryglen, Glasgow, as she campaigns ahead of yesterday’s council elections.