SNP spent more in fighting seat than in European referendum

The SNP spent more fighting the Shetland byelection than they did in the entire EU referendum campaign, new figures reveal.

Nicola Sturgeon’s party was accused of failing to fight hard enough for an EU Remain vote and using Brexit to agitate for independence.

According to Electoral Commission figures, Nicola Sturgeon’s party spent almost £99,000 fighting its losing battle for Scotland’s most northerly seat.

The figure was more than the £90,000 spent on campaigning for a Remain vote in the 2016 Brexit referendum.

In 2016, the SNP spent just 12.8% of the £700,000 it was entitled to.

In contrast, the £99,000 spent in Shetland represented the vast majority of the £100,000 the SNP was allowed to spend on the by-election.

The SNP increased its share of the vote but came second to Beatrice Wishart of the Lib Dems.

Lib Dem Orkney and Shetland MP Alistair Carmichael said: “It shows the cynicism of the SNP leadership’s position on the EU. They tell their supporters one story on Europe, but their actions tell another.

“They back the EU with words, but the truth is that they see Brexit as a golden opportunity to push independence at the price of our country’s well-being.”

But SNP MSP Rona Mackay dismissed Mr Carmichael’s comments as an “incoherent and frankly laughable attack”.

She said: “The SNP has been and remains the strongest advocate for Scotland’s place in Europe and, of course, in the Brexit referendum, Scotland voted overwhelmingly to Remain.

“The reality is the Lib Dems would rather see Scotland taken out of the EU with a Tory Brexit than be a member state of Europe in our own right.”