SNP might miss out on £1.2m as ‘troublesome’ for social gathering to satisfy accounts deadline

Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf has advised Sky News it will likely be “difficult” to satisfy a 31 May deadline for submitting SNP accounts – which means the social gathering might miss out on £1.2m in public funds.

The SNP’s Westminster group might lose entry to the “short money” paid to opposition events if it fails to submit accounts by the tip of subsequent month.

Asked if the social gathering must lay off employees if the quick cash was not paid, Mr Yousaf mentioned: “Hopefully we won’t get to that situation.

“Let’s hope we will work one thing out that even when that deadline shouldn’t be met – and we’ll work onerous to satisfy that deadline – even when it isn’t met, there’s a means of nonetheless getting entry [to the short money] if auditors are appointed.”

The SNP has been embroiled in a scandal over its funds resulting in some excessive profile arrests.

Police Scotland is finishing up an investigation linked to the spending of £600,000 raised by independence supporters for use in a brand new marketing campaign to depart the UK.

It is known there have been complaints the ringfenced money might have been used improperly by being spent elsewhere.

Both the social gathering’s treasurer, Colin Beattie, and its former chief government, Nicola Sturgeon’s husband Peter Murrell, have been arrested as a part of the probe – although each have been launched with out cost.

And detectives seized a £100,000 motorhome from outdoors the house of one among Mr Murrell’s aged kin.

It was additionally revealed that the social gathering’s accountants stop six months in the past and a substitute has but to be discovered.

Mr Beattie resigned as treasurer following his arrest, with MP Stuart McDonald introduced as his substitute.

Mr Yousaf mentioned the SNP was making “some progress” discovering new auditors, including the social gathering’s funds have been on a “steady footing”.

The first minister would not verify how a lot cash the SNP nonetheless owes Mr Murrell – who loaned the social gathering over £100,000 – however mentioned excellent loans can be detailed when the social gathering’s accounts are revealed.

He additionally mentioned he hadn’t spoken to Ms Sturgeon, however was certain she would return to Holyrood “when the time is absolutely right”.

Mr Yousaf was talking after a 25 minute assembly in Westminster with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, during which the 2 males mentioned value of dwelling, independence and Scottish whiskey tariffs.

The Scottish first minister described the assembly as “constructive”, and mentioned he was additionally given a briefing on the state of affairs in Sudan.