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The Nip's Grip Slips? Had Her Chips?


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"Police Scotland is conducting a fraud investigation into funds raised by the SNP for the independence campaign"

 

We can but hope that this is but the thin edge of large and very hard wedge.

 

Is it REALLY possible that Poileas Alba and the crown Office will pursue this with the requisite vigour?

 

 

Police investigate SNP fundraising and spending for independence referendum drive

new

Kieran Andrews, Scottish Political Editor

Tuesday July 13 2021, 1.35pm, The Times

 

Police Scotland is conducting a fraud investigation into funds raised by the SNP for the independence campaign

 

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/police-investigate-snp-fundraising-and-spending-for-independence-referendum-drive-95m9lnpqw

 

Police have launched a fraud investigation into the SNP’s fundraising for the campaign for independence.

Seven complaints have been made to Police Scotland over a “ringfenced” pool of £600,000 that was raised through online donations from activists who had been asked to support a new referendum drive.

Detectives initially carried out an inquiry into whether the claims had merit and today confirmed they will formally investigate potential criminality by the SNP.

A Police Scotland spokesperson 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.”

In June, Colin Beattie, the SNP’s treasurer, admitted that the party had spent some of the fund on other matters and said a new cash drive may now be needed.

He said he wanted to assure party members that the total amount raised during the targeted online appeals would eventually be spent on the push for separation. He stepped back into the role in charge of SNP finances after Douglas Chapman, an MP, quit in frustration at not having full access to the books.

Beattie said £666,953 had been raised through referendum-related appeals between 2017 and 2020. The last available SNP accounts, which cover 2019, show the party had £96,854 in the bank.

In a statement released on the party’s website, Beattie said that “amounts equivalent to the sums raised will be spent for the intended purpose” of a referendum campaign. So far only £51,760 has been spent directly on campaigning for another vote.

Chris McEleny, the general secretary of the Alba Party, first raised concerns over what he said were missing funds from the SNP accounts in June 2019. At that time he sat on the party’s governing National Executive Committee before defecting to Alex Salmond’s new party.

“As this is now a formal police investigation it will be inappropriate for me to provide public comment, however like any responsible citizen I will answer any questions Police Scotland put to me on the matter,” said McEleny.

An SNP spokesperson said: “We will cooperate fully with any investigation. As we have made clear, all sums raised for independence campaigning will be spent on independence campaigning.”

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