Pro-indy body in fund probe

A FRAUD investigation has been launched after £10,000 from a fund designed to help businesses through the pandemic was given to a pro-scottish independence campaign group.

The Scottish Tories said the grant, signed off by Inverclyde Council and handed to the Yes Inverclyde group, was an “appalling and inexplicable misuse of public funds”.

The group, which runs a campaign hub in Greenock, applied for the funding on the basis that it was promoting a “philosophical position” rather than being “party political”, emails obtained by The Scottish Sun suggest.

However, the council said the grant was now being reviewed by its corporate fraud service.

Photos recently appeared on social media showing the campaign hub being used to distribute free pro-independence newspapers, which were produced in part by the SNP and included articles from party figures including Nicola Sturgeon.