Police launch investigation into SNP indyref2 donation row

Police Scotland has launched an investigation into an SNP donor drive effort that raised more than £600,000 for an indyref2 fighting fund.

The force has been assessing a fraud allegation from a member of the public since late March, but in a statement released today said that seven people had now complained and that after consulting with prosecutors it was launching a formal investigation.

Since 2017, the SNP has used fundraising websites to raise more than £660,000 to be used “for the specific purpose of an referendum campaign".

But in its most recent accounts, the SNP had just £96,000 in the bank at the end of 2019.

That led to some independence supporters contacting police, accusing the party of behaving fraudulently.

In May, the MP Douglas Chapman quit as the party’s treasurer, claiming he had not been given the information he needed to do the job.

His resignation came after three members of the SNP’s finance and audit committee stood down, claiming they had been denied access to the accounts.

Days later, Chapman’s MP colleague, Joanna Cherry, also quit the governing NEC, claiming she was prevented from improving "transparency" and "scrutiny" within the party.

Chapman’s replacement as treasurer, Colin Beattie MSP, has insisted “amounts equivalent to the sums raised” will be spent on campaigning in future.

Until now, Police Scotland has said it has been assessing “a complaint of alleged financial irregularity”.

Today, a Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Police Scotland has now received seven complaints in relation to donations that were made to the Scottish National Party.

"After assessment and consultation with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, we will now carry out an investigation.

"Enquiries are continuing and anyone who has any information which may assist with this investigation is asked to contact police."

Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said: "I very much welcome the news that Police Scotland has launched an investigation into the claims of impropriety regarding donations to the SNP.

"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."

An SNP spokesperson 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.”

Last month Nicola Sturgeon said she was not concerned about the party’s finances.

The First Minister said: “The finances of the SNP are independently audited, our accounts are sent to the Electoral Commission in common with other parties and of course published, so there’s full scrutiny around that.”

Sturgeon added: “Money hasn’t gone missing.

“All money goes through the SNP accounts independently and fully audited.

“We don’t hold separate accounts, we’re under no legal requirement to do that, our accounts are managed on a cash-flow basis, but every penny we raise to support the campaign for independence will be spent on the campaign for independence.”