Police launch investigation over SNP donations

Police Scotland has launched a formal investigation into the SNP's finances after receiving complaints about how donations to the party were used.

Questions had been raised about funds given to the party for use in a fresh independence referendum campaign.

Seven people made complaints to the police, which has set up a probe following talks with prosecutors.

First minister and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon had insisted that she was "not concerned" about the party's finances.

She said "every penny" of cash raised in online crowdfunding campaigns would be spent on the independence drive.

It came after MP Douglas Chapman quit as SNP treasurer, saying he had not been given enough financial information to do the job, and fellow MP Joanna Cherry quit the party's management board amid a row over "transparency and scrutiny".

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Police Scotland had previously been assessing complaints made by a member of the public. The force says that a full inquiry has now been launched.

A spokesman said: "Police Scotland has now received seven complaints in relation to donations that were made to the Scottish National Party.

"After assessment and consultation with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, we will now carry out an investigation.

"Inquiries are continuing and anyone who has any information which may assist with this investigation is asked to contact police."

The SNP said it will "cooperate fully with any investigation".

Hundreds of thousands of pounds was donated by independence supporters through an SNP-run website

According to a recent statement, the SNP raised a total of £666,953 through referendum-related appeals between 2017 and 2020.

The party pledged to spend these funds on the independence campaign, but questions were raised after its accounts showed it had just under £97,000 in the bank at the end of 2019, and total net assets of about £272,000.

Treasurer Colin Beattie - a former MSP who returned to the post after Mr Chapman's resignation - said the funds had been "earmarked" when they were donated, and that a matching amount would ultimately be spent on referendum campaigning.

He said: "We will ensure that an amount equivalent to the sums raised from these appeals will go directly to our work to secure a referendum and win independence.

"We are taking a very strict approach to ensuring that this income supports expenditure directly related to the campaign for independence."

This echoed comments from Ms Sturgeon, who said the party runs its independently-audited budget on a "cash flow" basis and is under no obligation to keep funds in separate accounts.

She said: "Every penny we raise to support the campaign for independence will be spent on the campaign for independence."