SNP latest news today: Fears Nicola Sturgeon could be arrested after SNP treasurer Colin Beattie quits
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SNP leaders fear Nicola Sturgeon will be the next to be arrested in an investigation into the party’s finances.
Her successor as party leader and Scotland’s First Minister, Humza Yousaf, is expected to face questions in Holyrood today after being thrust into the role of overseeing the SNP’s accounts yesterday.
The new leader is also being pressured by his MSPs to take “firm and swift action” to avoid disaster at the next election as the party hobbles through a Police Scotland inquiry looking into how £660,000 SNP donations earmarked for pro-independence campaigns faced allegations of fraud.
Treasurer Colin Beattie resigned Wednesday after police leading the inquiry arrested him for questioning. He said in a statement he believed it was the “right decision to avoid further distractions.”
A senior SNP figure narrated The Independent It was likely Ms Sturgeon would also be arrested as she is one of three names believed to be on party accounts.
Sturgeon is likely to be arrested next, SNP sources say
Senior members of the SNP fear former leader Nicola Sturgeon could be the next person to be arrested in Scottish police investigations into the party’s finances.
The SNP was rocked by the arrests of former chief executive Peter Murrell and current treasurer Colin Beattie, both of whom were later released without charge pending further investigation.
A senior SNP figure narrated The Independent It was likely Ms Sturgeon would also be arrested as she is one of three names believed to be on party accounts.
SNP leader Humza Yousaf, recently elected to replace Ms Sturgeon, is facing calls to suspend the party’s former leader’s membership, along with that of her husband and Mr Beattie.
An SNP politician tells The times: “Nicola must be interviewed next, it is inevitable”, with another saying: “It is obvious that there is a list and Nicola’s name is on it.”
A third told the newspaper: “They have been interviewing witnesses and are now on the trail of suspects. It was the little ones, and now it’s the big ones – that’s how the police work.”
Liam JamesApr 20, 2023 9:25 am
