Nicola Sturgeon is under further pressure on SNP funding after it was revealed the party is facing fresh fraud allegations in a police probe into £600,000 of ‘missing’ party donations.
In addition to seven original complaints over donations made to the SNP police are now reported to be investigating 12 new fraud complaints amid allegations that cash earmarked for a second independence referendum has been diverted.
The new claims emerged days after Police Scotland confirmed that, following consultation with prosecutors, it was looking into seven allegations of fraud.
The probe was triggered after a complaint from independence activist Sean Clerkin.
It was believed the cash raised by SNP activists was to be used for another independence referendum, however it’s alleged the money was diverted.
The escalating police investigation has put an intense focus on First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s husband Peter Murrell, who is the party’s chief executive, and opened up splits at the top of the nationalist movement.
A number of high ranking officials in the party have resigned from the party’s ruling National Executive Committee in the last couple of months over transparency claims.
At the end of May Dunfermline and West Fife MP Douglas Chapman stood down from his role as treasurer.
In his resignation tweet he cited a lack of information and support which prevented him from carrying out his fiduciary duties.
Just days later Joanna Cherry quit the National Executive Committee.
The Edinburgh South West MP took to Twitter to announce she was stepping back, claiming she was prevented from improving “transparency” and “scrutiny” within the party.
Last month Nicola Sturgeon’s husband Peter Murrell, who is the chief executive of the SNP, refunded money to a former member who threatened to contact police over the party’s donations scandal.
Police Scotland said enquiries are continuing and asked anyone who has any information which may assist with the investigation is to contact police.
The SNP collected £600,000 through two fundraising drives in 2017 and 2019 with the money to be “ring-fenced’ for a future independence referendum campaign.
But concerns were raised by supporters after accounts published publicly appeared to show the money was no longer there.
Stephen Kerr MSP, the Scottish Conservatives chief whip, said: ‘It speaks volumes that even the SNP’s national treasurer can’t get the party to open the books. There are obvious questions that the leadership have yet to answer for members and even their own politicians.”
An SNP spokesperson said: “We will cooperate fully with the police investigation, and will make no further comment.”
