Yes Scotland chief had no knowledge of post about ‘missing’ £1.5m – lawyer

A Yes Scotland social media post referring to a ‘missing’ £1.5 million was made without the knowledge of the pro-independence group’s chief executive Blair Jenkins (David Cheskin/PA) -

A social media post by Yes Scotland referring to £1.5 million of “missing” money was made without the knowledge or approval of the group’s chief executive, a lawyer has said.

Solicitor Aamer Anwar, who acts for Blair Jenkins, hit out after a post on the Yes Scotland account appeared over the weekend.

It came after campaigners Sean Clerkin and David Hendry contacted Police Scotland last week, raising concerns that former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell – who has been jailed for embezzling more than £400,000 from the party – may have had access to Yes Scotland cash.

Mr Clerkin, whose complaints sparked the Operation Branchform investigation into SNP funds, said then that Murrell “had very close control over all the donations that were coming into Yes Scotland”.

The post, from Yes Scotland, meanwhile, said: “It’s been a while. Some would say a generation or so ago.

“Woken up excited to hear that there is £1.5M missing. Must have been in the sofa given to a recycling charity after the referendum.

“Reward of two ‘Yes’ mugs to anyone with info leading to its recovery. DMs are open.”

Solicitor Aamer Anwar issued a statement on behalf of Blair Jenkins, who was the Yes Scotland chief executive. (Andrew Milligan/PA)

Mr Anwar, however, was clear that the former Yes Scotland boss “does not regard such allegations as a laughing matter”.

In a statement, the lawyer said: “Mr Jenkins has been made aware of a message posted from the official Yes Scotland account on X, which seems to make light of recent allegations that £1.5 million is ‘missing’ from the organisation’s accounts.”

Mr Anwar added: “As far as Mr Jenkins was concerned, the Yes Scotland social media account was closed some 12 years ago.

“The message was posted without the knowledge or approval of Mr Jenkins. The false allegations of ‘missing money’ have caused extreme anger and distress for Mr Jenkins and his family over the last two weeks.

“To be clear Mr Jenkins does not regard such allegations as a laughing matter.”

Mr Anwar has already hit out at what he said was a “desperate attempt to link Peter Murrell’s criminal conduct in the SNP to the financial affairs of Yes Scotland”.

Speaking last week, the lawyer said: “To make it perfectly clear, Mr Murrell never at any time had access to Yes Scotland’s accounts.”