MP Stuart McDonald replaces Colin Beattie as SNP treasurer
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Version 0 of 1. MP for Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch given role after resignation of Beattie amid police investigation into party finances The SNP MP Stuart McDonald has been appointed party treasurer after the resignation of Colin Beattie. Beattie stepped down from the role after he was arrested and released without charge pending further investigation into the party’s finances. The former party chief executive Peter Murrell – who is married to the former first minister Nicola Sturgeon – was also arrested and questioned before being released without charge. The police investigation centres on how more than £600,000 in donations to the party earmarked for an independence referendum was used. The SNP’s national executive committee (NEC) has confirmed the appointment of McDonald, a former lawyer who represents Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch at Westminster. The 44-year-old said: “While it is a difficult and challenging time, I look forward to getting on with the job of national treasurer to help take forward the important work being led by our new party leader, Humza Yousaf, to improve the SNP’s governance and transparency. “I’ve no hesitation in stepping forward when asked to do my part in keeping our party firmly on a campaign footing as the case for Scottish independence becomes more compelling that ever.” A key task for the new treasurer will be appointing auditors after the accountants Johnston Carmichael, which worked with the SNP for more than a decade, resigned around September. The party’s accounts are due to be filed to the Electoral Commission in July. McDonald has held several jobs for the party at Westminster, and is currently the party’s justice and immigration spokesperson. Beattie, who was treasurer from 2004 to 2020 and again from 2021, also quit his role on Holyrood’s public audit committee until the police conclude their investigation. On Thursday, Beattie, 71, said: “On a personal level, this decision has not been easy, but it is the right decision to avoid further distraction to the important work being led by Humza Yousaf to improve the SNP’s governance and transparency. “I will continue to cooperate fully with Police Scotland’s inquiries and it would be inappropriate for me to comment any further on a live case.” Scottish Labour’s deputy leader, Jackie Baillie, said: “Stuart McDonald faces an uphill battle dealing with an SNP high command that clearly don’t think the rules apply to them. “Despite the SNP’s ongoing crisis it has shown no willingness to change. It has failed to suspend senior figures embroiled in a police investigation, and its culture of cover-up and secrecy remain in overdrive. “This arrogant and sleaze-ridden party needs to start operating with some much-needed transparency and consistency, but I won’t hold my breath.” |