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SNP ruling body meets over party governance and transparency SNP ruling body orders governance and transparency review
(about 2 hours later)
Humza Yousaf has said the public has "very reasonable" questions to ask the SNP The SNP's ruling body has ordered a review of transparency and governance with "external input" which could include forensic auditors.
The SNP's ruling body has met to discuss how to improve the party's transparency and governance later. The National Executive Committee (NEC) met on Saturday amid a police probe into party finances and a row over the release of membership numbers.
The National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting comes amid a police probe into party finances and a row over the release of membership numbers. Party leader Humza Yousaf said an interim report would be published in June.
First Minister Humza Yousaf has said the public has "very reasonable" questions to ask over transparency. It will be followed by a full report ahead of the SNP's autumn conference.
He also said he was unware until he became leader that the SNP's auditors had resigned more than six months ago. Asked if the review would go far enough, Mr Yousaf told BBC Scotland: "It is important that the financial oversight that we are committed to improving comes from the external input as opposed to within the party."
Johnston Carmichael resigned last September, and there is concern the party may be unable to conduct an audit due in July.
On Thursday, the new SNP leader also said he had only recently learned that the SNP had bought a luxury motorhome.
It was seized by police from outside a property in Dunfermline last week.
Ex-minister tells SNP to hire forensic accountantsEx-minister tells SNP to hire forensic accountants
Ex-SNP chief will not be suspended from party - FMEx-SNP chief will not be suspended from party - FM
Former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell, Nicola Sturgeon's husband, was also arrested while their home was searched as part of the police investigation. He was later released without charge. Last week Mr Yousaf revealed that he had been unware until he became leader that the SNP's auditors had resigned more than six months ago.
One NEC member has now suggested he might resign unless "forensic auditors" are appointed to examine the party's finances Johnston Carmichael resigned last September, and there is concern the party may be unable to conduct an audit due in July.
On Thursday, the new SNP leader and first minister also said he had only recently learned that the SNP had bought a luxury motorhome.
It was seized by police from outside a property in Dunfermline last week as part of an investigation into the party's finances.
Former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell was questioned by police but released without charge last week
Former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell, Nicola Sturgeon's husband, was also arrested while their home was searched. He was later released without charge.
Prior to the NEC meeting, one committee member had suggested he might resign unless "forensic auditors" were appointed to examine the party's finances
Bill Ramsay, the SNP trade union group convener, said: "I have been raising issues about the governance of the party for some time.Bill Ramsay, the SNP trade union group convener, said: "I have been raising issues about the governance of the party for some time.
"In June last year, as the world was moving out of governance restrictions imposed by Covid, I was making calls for more transparency."In June last year, as the world was moving out of governance restrictions imposed by Covid, I was making calls for more transparency.
"I forced a vote to ensure that members of the NEC could see how other members were voting.""I forced a vote to ensure that members of the NEC could see how other members were voting."
He added: "If the call to appoint forensic auditors is not moved forward, I will have to seriously consider whether I can continue on the NEC."He added: "If the call to appoint forensic auditors is not moved forward, I will have to seriously consider whether I can continue on the NEC."
Police carried out a search of the SNP's headquarters in Edinburgh last week Police carried out a search of the SNP's headquarters in Edinburgh last week as part of their investigation.
Police are investigating SNP finances in response to complaints about how the party spent more than £600,000 of donations that it had received from activists.Police are investigating SNP finances in response to complaints about how the party spent more than £600,000 of donations that it had received from activists.
Accountants Johnston Carmichael, which audited its accounts for more than a decade, said the decision to no longer work with the party was taken after a review of its clients.Accountants Johnston Carmichael, which audited its accounts for more than a decade, said the decision to no longer work with the party was taken after a review of its clients.
Meanwhile, Mr Yousaf has said he will set out his "positive, ambitious and radical vision" as he campaigns in an area where the SNP could face a by-election. Mr Yousaf was in the Rutherglen and Hamilton West constituency on Saturday, where there is the prospect of a by-election.
The SNP leader will be in the Rutherglen and Hamilton West constituency on Saturday, where there is the potential for a recall petition to be used against sitting MP Margaret Ferrier. Margaret Ferrier won the seat for the SNP in 2019 - but was later found to have damaged the reputation of the Commons and placed people at risk by taking part in a debate and travelling by train after testing positive for Covid-19. She now sits as an independent.
Ms Ferrier won the seat for the SNP in 2019 - but was later found to have damaged the reputation of the Commons and placed people at risk by taking part in a debate and travelling by train while suffering from Covid-19.
If she is barred from the Commons for 10 days or more, that could trigger a recall petition, which would result in a by-election in the constituency - although 10% of voters there would need to support this for it to go ahead.If she is barred from the Commons for 10 days or more, that could trigger a recall petition, which would result in a by-election in the constituency - although 10% of voters there would need to support this for it to go ahead.
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SNP (Scottish National Party)SNP (Scottish National Party)
Humza YousafHumza Yousaf