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Daily Record
Daily Record
Politics
Chris McCall

SNP signs contract with new auditors as party races to meet deadline for public funding

The SNP has finally signed a contract with new auditors as the party races to meet a deadline for funding.

The Nationalists have until May 31 to get accounts signed off by Commons authorities in order to receive Short money worth £1.2 million.

Stephen Flynn, the leader at Westminster, had previously warned he would have to consider job cuts if the group lost out on the public cash, which is awarded to all opposition parties.

The SNP's long-serving accountants resigned last year and the failure to find a replacement in subsequent months became a significant source of tension among MPs.

Flynn said he was only informed in February about the lack of auditors - despite replacing Ian Blackford as Westminster leader in December.

The SNP has been forced to deny in recent weeks that it faces bankruptcy amid an on-going police investigation into how donations were spent.

In the past month, the SNP’s former chief executive Peter Murrell – who is Nicola Sturgeon’s husband – and its then treasurer Colin Beattie have been arrested in connection with a police probe into the party’s finances.

Both Murrell and Beattie were released without charge pending further investigation.

Police outside Nicola Sturgeon and Peter Murrell's house near Uddingston. (Daily Record)

Humza Yousaf today welcomed the appointment of the new auditors.

The First Minister said: “We take our statutory obligations extremely seriously, so it is welcome news that AMS Accountants Group will complete the accounts for both the party 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."

Flynn said he was "confident" the party would now meet the deadline for public funding.

He added: "Throughout this period, SNP MPs have remained focused on standing up for Scotland and supporting our staff.

"We will now redouble our efforts to hold the Tories and pro-Brexit Labour Party to account for the damage their policies are inflicting on Scotland."

Blackford furiously rejected suggestions last week that it was his responsibility to inform Commons bosses about the auditor situation.

When pressed on the issue by a reporter, he replied: "how dare you?" and claimed the question was "insulting".

He told The Herald: "I think your question is awful and let's leave it at that. I am not responsible for the appointment of the auditor and I shouldn't even need to explain that to you.

"What did happen, and this is a matter or record, is that there was a full hand over of all the information to the new team when I was no longer leader.

"I didn't pass that information on because that wouldn't be my responsibility to do so. There is a leadership team and they have dedicated responsibility. Your question is insulting quite frankly. How dare you. How dare you."

The Scottish Conservatives will today push for a statement on the turmoil engulfing the SNP, claiming it is “in the public interest”.

The Tories will use their Holyrood debating time to push for clarity on the financial situation within the ruling party.

Douglas Ross said: “These questions are not going away for the First Minister and SNP leader, who recently had to step in as the SNP’s acting treasurer.

“He cannot stick his fingers in his ears and claim this is not a matter for his Government, as well as his party, especially if the SNP were to face bankruptcy or an imminent threat to their viability."

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