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SNP leader Humza Yousaf faces calls to suspend those investigated while senior official is detained SNP treasurer arrested in probe into party finances SNP treasurer Colin Beattie has been arrested amid a Scottish police investigation into the party's finances, the latest development in a saga engulfing Scotland's ruling party.
Prime Minister Humza Yousaf is facing calls to suspend Nicola Sturgeon and those under investigation, after Beattie was arrested for questioning by detectives on Tuesday morning.
This follows the arrest of chief executive Peter Murrell, husband of Ms Sturgeon, in connection with the investigation. He was later released without charge pending further investigation.
The investigation into the £660,000 raised specifically for the Scottish independence campaign was launched after it was alleged that money had been embezzled from the 'closed' fund, leading to the departure of senior SNP officials.
Mr Beattie is a long-time SNP treasurer, having served in the role from 2004 to 2020 and then again from 2021. The 71-year-old has also been the MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh since the 2011 election in Holyrood.
Yousaf said he did not "believe" the SNP was acting criminally after the arrest, saying he was "shocked that one of my colleagues was arrested."
Asked by reporters if the SNP was operating in a criminal manner, the prime minister told reporters: "No, I certainly don't think so at all, no."
Yousaf said she wanted to discuss with him "relevant issues" about Beattie's role as SNP treasurer, and his role on the Scottish Parliament's public audit committee, whenever he was released by police.
I'm going to have to talk to Colin Beattie. From what I understand, he is still at the police station being questioned," he told reporters at lunchtime on Tuesday.
"Obviously once I'm done I'll be talking to Colin, not about the live investigation, but there are clearly relevant issues regarding the public audit committee and of course his roles as National Treasurer."
Humza Yousaf faced questions about the FMQ riots
A Police Scotland spokesman said: "A 71-year-old man was arrested today, Tuesday 18 April 2023, as a suspect in connection with the ongoing investigation into Party funding and the finances of the Scottish citizen."
An SNP spokesperson said: 'We have no comment on a live police investigation.
There were more media reports over the weekend about Ms Sturgeon's role in the SNP's finances. The Sunday Mail cited leaked emails that appeared to show he had blocked plans to hire a fundraising manager for the party despite concerns about transparency.
Police Scotland detectives reportedly received emails showing Ms Sturgeon quashing the idea in June 2021. The Mail also published a video in which Ms Sturgeon told the party's National Executive Committee that there was no problem with the accounts.
Jackie Baillie, deputy leader of the Scottish Labor Party, called on Yousaf to suspend those under investigation. “For too long, a culture of secrecy and cover-up has been allowed to fester at the heart of the SNP,” he said.
Nicola Sturgeon speaking to reporters outside her home
He added: “And as the investigation widens, the SNP still refuses to take the critical step of suspending MSPs who are under police investigation. Humza Yousaf's inaction raises questions: is his priority protecting the SNP or the people of Scotland? »
Craig Hoy, chairman of the Scottish Conservatives, said the police investigation was "consuming" the SNP and urged the party leader to "get control of the situation".
Today he said: “He needs to show leadership and suspend Colin Beattie, along with Peter Murrell and Nicola Sturgeon. Colin Beattie is also expected to resign from the public audit committee pending completion of the investigation.
Colin Beattie and the officers raided the SNP headquarters earlier this month.
He added: "This extremely serious matter is getting worse by the day and everyone in the SNP has a duty to be as transparent as possible about what they knew and when."
Ash Regan, who came last in the SNP leadership race, said he had "some sympathy" for those who say the race should now be restarted given the current turmoil.
Reagan told BBC Radio 4 that she was "quite shocked" by Beattie's arrest "and I think Yousaf should take action."
Asked if Ms Sturgeon and Mr Murrell should be suspended, she told the BBC: "If it turns out that people have been involved in any of this situation, until this is cleared up... they should be suspended from the party". But then he clarified that the SNP figures should only be suspended if "significant irregularities" are discovered.
Meanwhile, in a significant escalation, Yousaf has announced that the Scottish government will delay the introduction of the controversial bottle deposit system until March 2024.
The prime minister also vowed to "go back to the drawing board" on the SNP's plans to introduce new restrictions on alcohol advertising.
Scottish Labor leader Anas Sarwar said Yousaf was "not leading a government that works", while Scottish Conservative Vice-President Meghan Gallacher said the SNP was in "total collapse".
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