Tuesday, May 14

SNP indicators contract with new auditors AMS Accountants Group as deadlines loom

The SNP has signed a contract with a brand new auditor greater than half a 12 months after the earlier agency stop.

SNP chief Humza Yousaf confirmed on Wednesday that AMS Accountants Group has taken on the celebration’s books.

Mr Yousaf, Scotland’s first minister, mentioned: “I am pleased to confirm that we have secured the services of auditors to take forward our accounts.

“We take our statutory obligations extraordinarily critically, so it’s welcome information that AMS Accountants Group will full the accounts for each the celebration and the SNP Westminster group.

“There is hard work ahead, but it is really encouraging to have them on board as we work towards challenging deadlines.”

The SNP’s Westminster group dangers shedding £1.2m of public funding if it doesn’t submit audited accounts by the 31 May deadline.

The celebration can be beneath strain to file its accounts with the Electoral Commission by 7 July or threat being fined.

It emerged final month that earlier auditors, Johnston Carmichael, stop in September 2022 following a evaluate of their consumer portfolio.

Mr Yousaf admitted he was unaware of the scenario till changing into celebration chief following Nicola Sturgeon’s resignation.

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Nicola Sturgeon spoke to the media on her return to the Scottish Parliament following the arrest of her husband final month

The appointment of a brand new auditor comes amid an ongoing police investigation into the SNP’s funding and funds.

Ms Sturgeon’s husband, former SNP chief government Peter Murrell, was arrested as a part of the probe alongside ex-treasurer Colin Beattie. Both males have been subsequently launched with out cost pending additional inquiries.

New SNP treasurer Stuart McDonald MP mentioned the announcement of a brand new auditor “represents a significant step forward of the party’s stewardship under the leadership of Humza Yousaf”.

He added: “I am pleased to be getting on with the role of national treasurer at this important time for the SNP, and we will continue working hard and standing up for the people of Scotland.”

Later on Wednesday, the Scottish Conservatives plan to push for a press release on the turmoil engulfing the SNP, claiming it’s “in the public interest”.

Led by Douglas Ross, the Tories will use their Holyrood debating time to hunt readability on the monetary scenario throughout the ruling celebration.

The vote, nevertheless, is more likely to fail because of anticipated help for the Scottish authorities from the Scottish Greens.

Content Source: information.sky.com