‘We don’t need to talk about finances’: Leaked audio allegedly shows Nicola Sturgeon telling SNP officials to stop asking about party’s financial situation

• The tape claims Sturgeon silenced the NEC from asking about party finances
• The meeting took place only months after the treasurer, Douglas Chapman, quit

Nicola Sturgeon told party officials to stop asking about the SNP’s financial situation, it has been alleged.

An audio tape of the confrontation claims to show the former First Minister moving to silence national executive committee (NEC) members from asking about the state of the party’s finances, according to the report.

The recording, obtained by the Sunday Mail, suggests when concerns were raised about a lack of transparency, Ms Sturgeon said: ‘We don’t need to talk about the finances. The finances are absolutely fine.’

The NEC meeting took place in August 2021, only months after the treasurer, Douglas Chapman, quit in protest at not being able to scrutinise the party’s finances.

In May of that year, Police Scotland had also launched a formal investigation into money that is alleged to be ‘missing’ from the SNP’s accounts – cash that had been raised from independence supporters to fight another referendum campaign.

Nicola Sturgeon told party officials to stop asking about the SNP’s financial situation, it has been alleged

Questions have also emerged about a loan of £107,620 that the party’s former chief executive, Ms Sturgeon’s husband Peter Murrell, gave to the SNP in June 2021

Questions have also emerged about a loan of £107,620 that the party’s former chief executive, Ms Sturgeon’s husband Peter Murrell, gave to the SNP in June 2021 ‘to assist with cashflow’.

Read More: Massive police raid on Nicola Sturgeon’s house sees her husband Peter Murrell arrested in probe over missing SNP money for independence referendum

When first challenged about the supposedly ring-fenced money thought to be at the centre of the police investigation, Ms Sturgeon insisted there was no problem with the party’s financial affairs.

‘Money hasn’t gone missing; all money goes through the SNP accounts independently, all fully audited,’ she said in 2021.

Ms Sturgeon added: ‘Our accounts are managed on a cashflow basis, but every penny we raise to support the campaign for independence will be spent on the campaign for independence.’

Following the first NEC meeting since he took over as leader, Humza Yousaf said he was committed to the ‘best practice in governance and transparency’.

He added: ‘It is clear that the party has lessons to learn from some issues, including the question of membership numbers.’

An SNP spokesman said: ‘The SNP ruling body, the NEC, has agreed to a review of governance and transparency. That is already under way.’

Source: Read Full Article