Home Politics Police arrest SNP treasurer Colin Beattie.

Police arrest SNP treasurer Colin Beattie.

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Peter Murrell, the former chief executive of the SNP and the spouse of Nicola Sturgeon, was detained by police earlier this month.

Colin Beattie, the treasurer of the SNP, has been detained by police investigating the funding and finances of the party.

Tuesday, a 71-year-old suspect was detained, according to Police Scotland, who did not identify the suspect.

The man is currently being questioned by detectives from Police Scotland, the agency said.

“A report will be sent to the Crown Office and the Procurator Fiscal Service.”

The statement continued, “As the investigation is still ongoing, we are unable to comment further.”

Police arrest snp treasurer colin beattie.

After Mr. Beattie’s detention, an SNP spokesperson said, “We have no comment on an ongoing police investigation.”

The detention takes place as the party’s finances continue to be rocked by scandal.

Peter Murrell, the ex-chief executive of the SNP and the spouse of Nicola Sturgeon, was detained by police earlier this month during the investigation into the party’s finances.

After an 11-hour detention, he was released without charges pending further investigation.

While in police detention, detectives took a £100,000 motorhome from one of Mr. Murrell’s elderly relatives’ property.

It has come to light, days after Mr. Murrell’s arrest, that the party’s longtime auditors, Johnston Carmichael, have resigned.

Questions have been raised about new SNP leader and First Minister Humza Yousaf after he acknowledged he was unaware that the party’s auditors had resigned months before the official announcement.

Asked whether it was improper for Ms. Sturgeon not to disclose the lack of auditors to SNP leadership candidates, Mr. Yousaf stated, “Frankly, it would have been helpful to know beforehand.”

“I believe the public has a valid concern regarding the party’s transparency. I’ve committed to a review of governance with input from outside parties.”

Mr. Yousaf indicated that he did not realise the SNP owned the motorhome until he became party leader.

The new leader of the SNP, who campaigned as the “continuity candidate” to replace Ms. Sturgeon, is under pressure to distance himself from his predecessor after a succession of damaging events overshadowed his first few weeks in office.

A video surfaced over the weekend in which Ms. Sturgeon appeared to warn the party’s governing body in March 2021 to “be very careful” about suggesting the SNP was experiencing financial difficulties.

Mr. Beattie warned that balancing the SNP’s books was difficult.

There have been calls for Mr. Yousaf to expel Ms. Sturgeon from the party if she does not voluntarily resign.

He will address the Scottish Parliament today, reportedly without Ms. Sturgeon, for the first time since Easter.

On Monday, former Westminster leader Ian Blackford defended Ms. Sturgeon and denied rumours that she might leave the party.

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