Humza Yusuf said, «I don't think parliament is the place to make a statement about party finances.» Photo: Jeff J. Mitchell/Getty Images Europe
Humza Yousaf has admitted that the SNP owes money to Nicola Sturgeon's husband, but insists the party is «definitely not in danger of going bankrupt» following the arrest and resignation of its treasurer.
< p>The First Minister, who was appointed acting SNP Treasurer following the departure of Colin Beatty, said he was given «full access» to her books and said she was on a «sustainable footing.»
But he reported that the SNP had not fully repaid a six-figure loan provided by Peter Murrell, Ms. Sturgeon's husband and former party chief executive, who was arrested as part of a police investigation into her finances.
Mr Yousaf said he would give details of how much of the £107,620 was still owed after a review of the party leadership as he rejected a Tory call for a parliamentary statement on the crisis.
Speaking to reporters after questions of the First Minister in Holyrood, he said: “We are definitely not in danger of bankruptcy. I am happy to report that we are in a stable position when it comes to party finances.
“I don't think Parliament is the place to make a statement about party finances. I have, of course, instructed a review of governance and transparency, and when the report on this review is received, I will publish it.”
When asked if Ms. Sturgeon's husband was entitled to money, he said: «I think Peter Murrell still has money ”.
The party paid £47,620 at the end of 2021, but still owed £60,000, according to Electoral Commission records. When asked if the SNP could afford to return the money if Mr. Murrell demanded it, he declined to answer, saying, «It's part of a live police investigation.»
His intervention came when Mr. Murrell was photographed. for the first time since his arrest, more than two weeks ago, he left the house in Wuddington he shares with Miss Sturgeon.
A 58-year-old man, dressed in a jacket and a blue shirt, was seen driving away in the couple's black Peugeot on Thursday morning. He did not speak to the media.
Ms Sturgeon left home in the afternoon and was driven away in a black Volvo. She also did not speak to the journalists gathered outside.
Peter Murrell leaves home on Thursday. Photo: Andrew Milligan/PA
SNP previously said the June 2021 loan was needed to address «cash flow» issues. However, this came just three months after Ms Sturgeon told the SNP's ruling national executive committee that the party's finances «have never been this strong» and warned colleagues not to speak of «any issues» with in cash.
Since July of the same year, the Scottish police have been checking how the SNP disposed of more than £600,000 in donations raised in 2017 for the second independence referendum.
Supporters complained when reports filed with Companies House in 2020 showed that the SNP had only £97,000 in the bank despite the referendum never being held.
Mr. Murrell, Chief Executive of SNP for over two decades. before he resigned last month, was arrested on April 5, and the house he shares with Ms. Sturgeon was raided by police.
Mr. Beatty, party treasurer for most of Murrell's tenure, was arrested on Tuesday. and interrogated by detectives for nearly 12 hours. Both he and Mr. Murrell have been released without charge pending further investigation.
On Wednesday, he stepped down as SNP Treasurer «to avoid further distractions» and vowed to «continue to cooperate fully with Police Scotland in investigations.»
Three registered SNP officers listed on the cover of her most recent accounts. Mr. Murrell, Mr. Beatty and Ms. Sturgeon were introduced to the Electoral Commission, leading to speculation that she might be next to be questioned. However, it is known that she did not have an interview.
Nicola Sturgeon leaves her home in Glasgow on Thursday. Photo: Andy Buchanan/AFP
As leader of the SNP, Mr. Yousaf automatically became acting treasurer following Mr. Beatty's departure, but said NEC would nominate a replacement in the coming days. He said the next treasurer will serve on a temporary basis until the position is filled through elections at the SNP conference later this year.
Douglas Ross, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, said: “The First Minister is now the Treasurer of the SNP. So while it is still a matter of the party, it is now also a matter of the government if the first minister is compromised, if his hands are tied, if the government party is about to go bankrupt, or if he himself can be involved with the police. investigation.
«There are legitimate questions that the Scottish public deserves answers to.»
He urged the First Minister «to be transparent and issue a parliamentary statement so that he can be scrutinized for the financial scandal, sweeping the government lot in Scotland.»
Mr Yousaf previously ruled out that the party pays Mr Murrell's legal fees, but said he «needs to look into» whether SNP counsel would be provided to Mr Beatty .
He also said that the patriarchy is still trying to find new auditors to replace Johnston Carmichael, who left in September. The party must submit its 2022 annual report to the Electoral Commission by July 7.
“We don’t have an auditor yet. We are still making progress, we are still negotiating with a number of auditors,” the First Minister added.
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