[ad_1]
Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf has told Sky News it will be “difficult” to meet a 31 May deadline for filing SNP accounts – meaning the party could miss out on £1.2m in public funds.
The SNP’s Westminster group could lose access to the “short money” paid to opposition parties if it fails to submit accounts by the end of next month.
Asked if the party would have to lay off staff if the short money was not paid, Mr Yousaf said: “Hopefully we won’t get to that situation.
“Let’s hope we can work something out that even if that deadline is not met – and we’ll work hard to meet that deadline – even if it’s not met, there is a way of still getting access [to the short money] if auditors are appointed.”
The SNP has been embroiled in a scandal over its finances leading to some high profile arrests.
Police Scotland is carrying out an investigation linked to the spending of £600,000 raised by independence supporters to be used in a new campaign to leave the UK.
It is understood there have been complaints the ringfenced cash may have been used improperly by being spent elsewhere.
Both the party’s treasurer, Colin Beattie, and its former chief executive, Nicola Sturgeon’s husband Peter Murrell, were arrested as part of the probe – though both were released without charge.
And detectives seized a £100,000 motorhome from outside the home of one of Mr Murrell’s elderly relatives.
It was also revealed that the party’s accountants quit six months ago and a replacement has yet to be found.
Mr Beattie resigned as treasurer following his arrest, with MP Stuart McDonald announced as his replacement.
Mr Yousaf…
[ad_2]
