SNP raises £200,000 in 24 hours for independence bid

The SNP has raised around £200,000 for its campaign for independence in the 24 hours since First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced her intention to hold another referendum.

The party launched an online fundraising drive as Sturgeon made the announcement yesterday at 11.30, and the figure had reached £30,000 by 2pm. By 10.30 this morning the figure had reached £193,000.

The appeal aims to raise a £1m campaigning fund in 100 days, but has raised around 20 per cent of the total in one day.

In 2014 nearly 80 per cent of donations to Yes Scotland came from Euromillions lottery winners Colin and Chris Weir, who gave £1m of their £161m win to the cause.

Better Together declared just over £2.4m in donations, which included £1m from Harry Potter author JK Rowling.

Sturgeon said she wanted the second referendum to take place between the autumn of 2018 and the spring of the following year, which would be before the UK formally left the European Union, but the timetable will require approval from Westminster.

Scottish Conservative deputy leader Jackson Carlaw said the fundraising initiative was a “major display of arrogance” by the SNP.

"Given the Scottish Government was so tight-lipped about this announcement, it's impressive the web wizards at SNP headquarters were able to get this online resource set up - and thousands of pounds to the good - so incredibly quickly,” he told STV, adding “The move will have eyes rolling right across the country”.

The Scottish Greens have also launched a 'Green Yes' crowdfunder.