Nats in indy cash probe

Police probe claims that funds raised for IndyRef 2 campaign have been diverted

- John Ferguson

Police are investigating claims of a £600,000 SNP fraud in a shock blow to Nicola Sturgeon’s election campaign.

It is alleged that money raised by activists to prepare for another independence referendum has been diverted.

Three members of the party’s Finance and Audit Committee resigned two weeks ago after the First Minister’s husband and party CEO Peter Murrell refused to show them accounts.

Police Scotland said: “We received an allegation of fraud at about 4.40 pm on Thursday, March 25, 2021.

“ Inquires are ongoing and at an early stage.”

The investigation was triggered by a complaint from independence activist Sean Clerkin.

It centres on funds raised in 2017 and 2019. The SNP said cash would be “ring-fenced” and only spent on an IndyRef2 campaign.

Scottish Labor deputy leader Jackie Baillies aid: “ The departure of three members of the SNP’s finance committee last month rightly raised questions.

“ But this is a concerning development which requires swift answers from the SNP and Nicola Sturgeon.

“Scotland deserves better than the wave of scanda ls and distractions that have defined the SNP.

“We need a parliament focused on solutions – not a circus – and that’s why Scottish Labour are focused on delivering our national recovery plan.”