SNP business convener Angela Constance has insisted that the use of cash donated to the party for independence campaigning is an 'internal party matter'. Her comments come amid reports that police are being urged to launch a fresh investigation into the whereabouts of more than £600,000 of party cash, which was said to be 'ringfenced' for campaigning in a future second referendum.
Concerns that this money had gone missing led to the Operation Branchform investigation into SNP finances, which last week resulted in former chief executive Peter Murrell admitting to embezzling more than £400,000 from the party over a period of 12 years. Murrell is now awaiting sentencing.
SNP leader and Scottish First Minister John Swinney said on Wednesday that the £600,000 was 'part of the resources that are available within the Scottish National Party to support its independence objectives'. Speaking to journalists, he stated: 'The SNP is the party of independence and that is what we campaign for.'
However, the matter has reportedly been raised again with police. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'We are aware that an individual wishes to make a complaint and officers from the economic crime unit will make contact to assess their information.'
Ms Constance, who serves as both SNP business convener and Scottish Health Secretary, insisted that 'essentially this matter is an internal party matter'. She told BBC Radio Scotland's Breakfast programme: 'The whole raison d'etre of the Scottish National Party is to further the cause of independence, we do that day in, day out. And, of course, the matter, in terms of the original complaint that was made to the police, has been investigated. The justice system has done its job and got to the root of the matter, which is the embezzlement of a large sum of money from my party, from SNP members, and the justice system has brought that person to justice.'
She went on to stress: 'Members of the SNP campaign for independence each and every day, and all of our activities are about furthering the cause of independence.' While she added it would be a 'matter for the police' if a fresh investigation is pursued, Ms Constance was clear that there 'has already been a very extensive police investigation and justice has been served in terms of this particular crime committed against the Scottish National Party'.
Her comments came as SNP depute leader Keith Brown insisted members and supporters who gave money to the independence fund had 'absolutely not' been defrauded by the party. He told BBC Radio Scotland: 'I know the strain people have gone through to contribute towards the SNP's aim of independence, and the SNP has put that aim at the forefront of every election campaign.'
Mr Brown added: 'I have been in the SNP for over 40 years, I have seen any number of financial appeals, which I have always understood to be to pursue the SNP's main aim of independence.' Regarding the funding, the SNP depute leader said: 'This situation was looked at by the police, it was the cause of the police investigation, and they found out there was embezzlement going on by my party's chief executive. The initial inquiry by the police was based on a complaint around this issue, the police have extensively and forensically examined that situation and the party has been absolutely clear that the money that it raises will be used in pursuit of independence, and in the interim the pursuit of a question of a referendum, Scotland's right to have a referendum on independence.'
