Police launch formal inquiry into SNP finances
Police have launched a formal investigation into allegations of financial mismanagement within the SNP.
Officers had previously been assessing complaints made to them around an “alleged financial irregularity”, but yesterday confirmed a full investigation has been launched. The SNP said it will co-operate fully.
The allegations surround around £600,000 of donations to the SNP which had been part of a crowdfunder for money to be spent on a future independence referendum.
A formal investigation into allegations of financial mismanagement within the SNP has been launched by Police Scotland.
Officers had previously been assessing complaints made to them around an “alleged financial irregularity”, but in an updated statement yesterday confirmed a full investigation has been launched. The SNP said it will co-operate fully.
The allegations surround around £600,000 of donations tothesnpwhichhadbeenpart of a crowdfunder for money to be spent on a future independence referendum.
The SNP’S treasurer, Colin Beattie, announced “amounts equivalent” to the money raised would be spent on campaigning for a second referendum following weeks of pressure on the party to identify the money in its accounts.
The funding controversy led to the former treasurer,
Douglas Chapman MP, and high-profile MP Joanna Cherry stepping down from their positions on the party’s national executive committee earlier this year due to concerns around transparency.
Police Scotland said a full investigation had now been launched after seven complaints in relation to donations to the SNP were made. Before this, officers had said they were continuing to “assess” complaints but had not begun investigating the allegations.
Scottish Labour’s deputy leader Jackie Baillie said it was crucial that the truth is discovered. She said: “For many months the SNP has been embroiled in internal fighting and recriminations over this most serious of matters.
"The truth must be known, and Police Scotland must be allowed to carry out a thorough and detailed investigation."
Scottish Conservative chief whip Stephen Kerr said: “The public to deserve to know the truth. It is only right that Police Scotland are stepping up their investigations having received numerous complaints.
“The police must be allowed to explore every aspect of these complaints to ensure they get to the bottom of this increasingly murky situation.”
A spokesperson for the SNP said: “We will cooperate fully with any investigation.
"As we have made clear, all sums raised for independence campaigning will be spent on independence campaigning.”