On Tuesday, Colin Beatty was questioned for almost 12 hours by detectives investigating SNP finances. He was later released without charge pending further investigation. Photo: Stuart Nicole.
The longtime SNP treasurer resigned the day after police arrested him as part of an investigation into the party's financial situation.
Colin Beatty said he stepped down from the position «with immediate effect» and vowed he would «continue to cooperate fully with Police Scotland in investigations». was not easy,” but it was “the right decision to avoid further distraction.”
Humza Yusuf praised Mr. Beatty for the decision, but the Tories said the resignation highlighted a “general lack of leadership,” comparing him with a «rabbit in the headlights.»
They argued that Mr. Yousaf should have removed Mr. Beatty from office after his arrest and «immediately suspend» his membership.
Beatty's resignation also meant that Mr. Yousaf automatically became acting treasurer of the SNP amid a police investigation pending the appointment of a permanent replacement.
The 71-year-old stepped down after being almost 12 on Tuesday hours were interrogated by detectives investigating party finances. He was released without charge pending further investigation.
Mr. Beatty also announced that he was resigning from Holyrood's State Audit Committee. Photo: Duncan McGlynn
Peter Murrell, Nicola Husband Sturgeon and a former SNP executive were also arrested and later released earlier this month, and the couple's home was ransacked for two days.
Mr Beatty Arrest 39- This has sparked speculation that Ms. Sturgeon might be next, though it is known that she has not yet been questioned.
The three registered SNP officers listed on the cover of her most recent reports to the Electoral Commission were Mr Murrell, Mr Beatty and Ms Sturgeon.
Calum Steele, former General Secretary of the Scottish Police Federation. , said it was «hard to see why she couldn't be» arrested after the arrest of the other two.
But allies of the former first minister warned police in Scotland that they should «think very carefully» before arresting Mr. -Just Sturgeon. .
They told The Telegraph that officers should take into account the «significance» of her arrest, arguing that it would be a «huge» moment for the SNP and the country.
However, they acknowledged that the SNP had no control over whether she would arrested, saying «This is not a drama where we write a script.»
Mr. Beatty was a party member Treasurer for most of Mr. Murrell's tenure as Executive Director, having served twice since 2004.
Since July 2021, the Scottish Police have been investigating the SNP's appeal of more than £600,000 in donations raised in 2017 for a second independence referendum.
Supporters filed complaints when records filed with Companies House emerged in 2020. to show that the SNP only had £97,000 in the bank, despite the fact that the referendum was never held.
Announcing his decision to step down, Mr. Beatty said: “On a personal level, this decision was not an easy one, but it is the right decision to avoid further distraction from the important work that Humza Yousaf is leading to improve the governance and transparency of the SNP. ”
He said he was also resigning from the Holyrood audit committee.
Mr Yousaf thanked Mr Beatty for leaving and tweeted: “I know his decision stepping back from the role of SNP national treasurer was not easy, but he did it in the interests of the party.”
He said a replacement would be appointed by the SNP's ruling national executive committee as soon as possible.
Rejecting calls to remove Mr Beatty from the SNP, the First Minister told BBC Scotland: «He is not … 39; of course, we were not acquitted of the charge.”
But Craig Hoy, chairman of the Scottish Conservatives, said: “Humza Yusuf is like a rabbit in the headlights. That he did not remove Colin Beatty from these roles, nor did he remove Peter Murrell and Nicola Sturgeon, makes it a mockery of claims that he took decisive action.»
Sturgeon's associates said that they «hotly» hoped that she would not be arrested, with one saying: «That would be great. We will have to wait and see.
“I must think that the police will have to think very carefully because of the importance of this. That would be an important moment.»
Rishi Sunak told the House of Commons that if the SNP «can't fix the mess Nicola Sturgeon left her party in, how can they fix the mess she left Scotland in?» .
Shona Robison, Deputy First Minister and one of Ms Sturgeon's closest friends, appeared to criticize the former First Minister's legacy, saying the SNP should «absolutely get our house in order».
She told BBC Radio Scotland that the SNP was facing 'really very serious problems' but said it would not be 'useful' for her to speculate on whether Ms Sturgeon really could have been arrested.
SNP declined to comment on the «live police investigation».
Свежие комментарии