Colin Beattie steps down as SNP treasurer after arrest over celebration finance investigation

SNP treasurer Colin Beattie is stepping down from his position after he was arrested on Tuesday.

He mentioned he will even step down from Holyrood’s Public Audit Committee whereas the police investigation into the celebration’s funding and funds takes place.

Mr Beattie, who has been SNP treasurer for a lot of the previous 19 years, was arrested on Tuesday and spent round 11 hours in police custody earlier than he was launched with out cost pending additional investigation.

On 5 April, Nicola Sturgeon‘s husband Peter Murrell, who not too long ago stepped down as SNP chief govt, was additionally arrested as a part of the investigation and was launched after almost 12 hours in custody with out cost pending additional investigation.

Mr Beattie mentioned in an announcement: “This afternoon I knowledgeable the celebration chief that I can be stepping again from my position as SNP nationwide treasurer with quick impact.

“I have also informed the SNP chief whip at Holyrood that I will be stepping back from my role on the Public Audit Committee until the police investigation has concluded.

“On a private stage, this resolution has not been straightforward, however it’s the proper resolution to keep away from additional distraction to the essential work being led by Humza Yousaf to enhance the SNP’s governance and transparency.

“I will continue to cooperate fully with Police Scotland’s enquiries and it would be inappropriate for me to comment any further on a live case.”

Read extra:
Culture wanted to be extra clear at SNP HQ, says deputy FM
Why have senior SNP execs been arrested and what are police investigating?

First Minister Humza Yousaf, who changed Ms Sturgeon in March, mentioned he needed to “offer my thanks to Colin” after he introduced he would step again as treasurer.

“I know that his decision to step back from the role of SNP national treasurer will not have been an easy one, but he has done so in the best interest of the party,” he mentioned.

“A new treasurer will be appointed as soon as possible.”

On Tuesday, he instructed Sky News Mr Beattie’s arrest was “not helpful” and “of course, I’m surprised when one of my colleagues is arrested”.

The police inquiry, named Operation Branchform, is wanting into whether or not £666,953 price of cash raised since 2017 particularly for a second independence referendum has been improperly spent on different actions.

Police are additionally wanting right into a mortgage of £107,620 made in June 2021 by Mr Murrell, whereas he was chief govt.

Who are the important thing individuals within the investigation?

• Peter Murrell

Nicola Sturgeon’s husband, who was made the SNP’s chief govt in 1999, was the primary individual to be arrested as a part of the inquiry.

The 58-year-old was briefly performing celebration treasurer in 2021 when Douglas Chapman stop after lower than a yr as a result of he “had not received the support or financial information required to carry out the fiduciary duties of national treasurer”.

Mr Murrell, who acquired married to Ms Sturgeon in 2010, was arrested on 5 April and their dwelling was searched by police for almost two days, whereas a £100,000 motorhome owned by the SNP was seized from outdoors his mom’s dwelling.

He was launched with out cost pending additional investigation.

As effectively as the cash raised for a second independence marketing campaign, police are additionally wanting right into a mortgage of £107,620 made in June 2021 by Mr Murrell which has not been totally repaid.

• Colin Beattie

Former finance skilled Mr Beattie first turned the SNP’s treasurer in 2004 earlier than having a quick break after an inside election voted in Douglas Chapman in 2020.

But he was again within the position in 2021 after Mr Chapman stop for not being supplied with the instruments he wanted to do the job, with Mr Murrell taking over the position within the interim.

Mr Beattie was arrested on 18 March and held in custody for about 11 hours earlier than being launched with out cost pending investigation.

He stepped down as treasurer and as a member of Holyrood’s Public Audit Committee the subsequent day whereas the investigation is carried out.

• Nicola Sturgeon

First minister for greater than eight years, Ms Sturgeon out of the blue stop in February, saying the job “takes its toll on you and all around you”.

She later denied her husband’s impending arrest was something to do along with her resolution and mentioned she had “no prior knowledge” he was to be arrested.

Ms Sturgeon mentioned she has not been questioned by the police however would “fully cooperate” in the event that they do wish to quiz her.

The former chief has saved her head down since her husband’s arrest, cancelling just a few deliberate appearances.

• Humza Yousaf

Seen because the continuity candidate after Ms Sturgeon stepped down, Mr Yousaf gained the management election on 29 March.

An extended-time Sturgeon supporter, the previous justice and well being secretary promised “more openness, more transparency around how we do things” after Mr Murrell was arrested.

He mentioned he was unaware the SNP owned the motorhome confiscated by police till he turned celebration chief.

Mr Yousaf additionally mentioned he had not been conscious the SNP’s long-standing auditors, Johnston Carmichael, had stop in September 2022 and there may be but to be a substitute.

Asked whether or not it was flawed of Ms Sturgeon to not disclose to SNP management candidates the dearth of auditors, Mr Yousaf responded: “Frankly it would have been helpful to know beforehand.”

The investigation was launched in 2021 following seven complaints to Police Scotland however ramped up in the beginning of April with Mr Murrell’s arrest and the search of his and Ms Sturgeon’s Glasgow dwelling.

Detectives additionally seized a £100,000 motorhome owned by the SNP from outdoors the house of one in every of Mr Murrell’s aged kinfolk on 5 April, and searched the SNP’s Edinburgh workplaces on the identical time.

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Scotland’s deputy first minister Shona Robinson earlier instructed Sky News a “culture was allowed to develop” at SNP HQ.

Ms Robinson denied Ms Sturgeon had total accountability for the governance scandal – regardless of her being celebration chief for eight years.

She mentioned the celebration must “get its house in order” to rebuild belief.

“There are clearly big issues for the party here,” Ms Robinson added.

Content Source: information.sky.com