SNP submits Westminster accounts on deadline in £1m move

The SNP has submitted its financial returns to Westminster bosses on deadline day in a move set to protect the party from £1m in losses.

SNP leader Humza Yousaf and Westminster chief Stephen Flynn came under pressure after it emerged that its auditors had quit.

The firm ended its services to the SNP in October, a fact that emerged during the recent contest to replace Nicola Sturgeon as party leader.

It took six months to find a replacement and there were questions over whether or not the party's Westminster group would meet the deadline for reporting to Commons authorities.

Failure to do so would have seen the SNP lose around £1m in "short money", which pays for staffing and research. The cash is payable to all opposition parties in the UK Parliament.

However, SNP Westminster group treasurer Peter Grant has today confirmed that the paperwork has been completed and submitted.

The MP said: "I'm pleased to confirm that the annual return for the SNP Westminster Group's 'short money' for 2022-23 has received a clean audit certificate and has been submitted, on time, to the parliamentary authorities. 

"Throughout this process, SNP MPs have remained focused on standing up for Scotland and supporting our hard-working staff. 

"We will continue to hold the Tories and pro-Brexit Labour to account for the damage their policies are inflicting on Scotland."