Keith Brown served as Attorney General from May 2021 to March 2023. Credit: Ken Jack/Getty Images
The former SNP Justice Minister is under pressure to reveal details of a meeting with the Scottish Police Chief just a week before Nicola Sturgeon resigned.
Keith Brown, who also is deputy leader of the SNP, met with Sir Ian Livingston, Chief Constable of Police Scotland. Feb. 9.
Malcolm Graham, Deputy Chief Constable, also attended a meeting in the Scottish Parliament, which was made public by a freedom of information request from pro-independence blogger Wings Over. Scotland.
Peter Murrell, former chief executive of the SNP, was arrested on Wednesday as part of an investigation into the party's finances linked to over £600,000 in donations.
This comes seven weeks after Ms Sturgeon announced who is retiring. as First Minister and just a week after Humza Yousaf, her successor, took office.
Amid growing questions over the scandal, attention turned to whether anyone was in the Scottish government beforehand notified that the arrest will be made as part of the investigation.
Police Scotland said they had «another meeting» on 9 February and declined to open «any other cases in terms of investigations that may or may not have been discussed.»
On Thursday, both police and police The Scottish Government has received calls to confirm that no details of the SNP financial fraud investigation have been discussed.
The meeting took place two weeks before Sir Ian tendered his resignation, submitting a document to the Scottish Police, warning that policing north of the border was «unsustainable» and facing «unprecedented financial pressure».
On Thursday morning, police continued to search the home of Nicola Sturgeon and Peter Murrell. Photo: Wattie Chung for The Telegraph
Mr Brown was elected Deputy Leader of the SNP in 2018. He was appointed Minister of Justice in May 2021 but was not appointed in Mr. Yousaf's new administration.
Alex Neal, a former SNP minister, said he was aware of the meeting and that the government and police should categorically rule out whether the case was discussed at all prior to the arrest.
He said: that meeting — and I think they should at least confirm whether it was discussed.
“I would think that they are required to tell you what is being discussed, except for issues that fall under trade secrets, or for reasons of not notifying criminals of any discussions on specific issues, so they may well hide behind this. There should be a categorical statement that there was no advance notice.»
He added that if any information was given in advance or an agreement was reached to delay the arrest, it would be illegal.< /p
«We need confirmation that this was not affected by the leadership or the timing of the SNP leadership election,» Mr. Neal said. “Obviously, if it didn’t happen, why don’t they confirm that it didn’t happen?”
A spokesman for the Scottish Conservatives said they discussed at this meeting.
“Given the events that have taken place since then, it is the responsibility of Keith Brown, who is still Deputy Leader of the SNP, to be as candid as possible at this meeting.»
Jackie Bailey, Scottish Labor deputy leader, said: «It is clear that this SNP investigation goes much further than just Peter Murrell.» to answer.
“This investigation must be continued. The people of Scotland deserve honesty and transparency from their leaders.»
Officers at Ms Sturgeon's house on Thursday . Police Scotland are investigating how the SNP handled over £600,000 in donations. Photo: Wattie Chung for The Telegraph
Since July 2021, the Scottish Police have been investigating the SNP's appeal of over £600,000 in donations raised in 2017 for the second independence referendum.
The second referendum never took place and some donors asked for their money, stating they were told the money would be earmarked for the referendum campaign.
It was later revealed that in June 2021 Mr Murrell had made a personal loan of £107,620 to the party to «help with cash streams», which is now also considered part of the investigation.
Mr. Murrell was released. without charge shortly before 7:00 pm Wednesday night, more than 11 hours after his arrest pending further investigation.
Police remained outside the home of Ms. Sturgeon and Mr. Murrell on Thursday morning, with three police vans parked outside and two uniformed officers standing outside.
The big blue tent was left in place in the garden in front of the house, which was fenced off with blue police screens.
Ms Sturgeon canceled a scheduled appearance at a climate change event in Edinburgh on Thursday evening, with her spokesperson saying she wants to «focus the event on the critical issue of the climate emergency».
Ms Sturgeon& Representative #39 said: “In order to focus this event on the critical issue of the climate emergency and the contribution of Ambassador Patricia Espinosa, Nicola Sturgeon has chosen not to attend this evening.
"She is grateful to the festival and Ambassador Espinoza for understanding, and to Mairi Macallan for taking her place"
Keith Brown: Deputy SNP leader forced into political wilderness
Mr Thursday Yusuf was asked if Mr. Brown could play a role in the party's governance reforms after he was fired.
"Keith and I had a good talk about government" said Mr. Yousaf.
"Frankly, such discussions are never easy. But he understood why I asked him to leave the government.
"As far as the management review is concerned, he did an excellent job as deputy head. I think he can play an important role in helping the party improve its governance and increase its transparency. So I'm sure Keith has a role to play.»
A Scottish government spokesman said: “Keith Brown met with Police Chief Constable Sir Ian Livingston on 9 February. It was a regular meeting to discuss policing as part of a Justice Brief.”
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