This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-28209643
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Scottish independence: 'No' and 'Yes' campaigns bank £4m in donations | Scottish independence: 'No' and 'Yes' campaigns bank £4m in donations |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The pro-Union campaign has received more big donations than its pro-independence rival. | The pro-Union campaign has received more big donations than its pro-independence rival. |
The latest figures released by the Electoral Commission Scotland showed Better Together received £2.4m, while Yes Scotland was given £1.1m. | The latest figures released by the Electoral Commission Scotland showed Better Together received £2.4m, while Yes Scotland was given £1.1m. |
The money relates to the period between 18 December 2013 to 26 June 2014. | The money relates to the period between 18 December 2013 to 26 June 2014. |
Voters in Scotland go to the polls on 18 September when they will be asked: "Should Scotland be an independent country?" | Voters in Scotland go to the polls on 18 September when they will be asked: "Should Scotland be an independent country?" |
Under the laws governing September's independence referendum, all registered campaigners must declare donations of more than £7,500. | Under the laws governing September's independence referendum, all registered campaigners must declare donations of more than £7,500. |
The largest donation to the Better Together campaign so far was £1m from Harry Potter author JK Rowling in June this year. | The largest donation to the Better Together campaign so far was £1m from Harry Potter author JK Rowling in June this year. |
Drinks company William Grant and Sons has donated a total of £185,000 to those campaigning for the Union - with £135,000 going to Better Together and £25,000 to both the No Borders Campaign group and individual campaigner Angus MacDonald. | Drinks company William Grant and Sons has donated a total of £185,000 to those campaigning for the Union - with £135,000 going to Better Together and £25,000 to both the No Borders Campaign group and individual campaigner Angus MacDonald. |
Yes Scotland received £1m from husband and wife Colin and Chris Weir, who scooped £161m on the EuroMillions Lottery in 2011. | Yes Scotland received £1m from husband and wife Colin and Chris Weir, who scooped £161m on the EuroMillions Lottery in 2011. |
Bus tycoon Sir Brian Souter, chairman of the Stagecoach Group, donated £100,000 to two pro-independence groups - Christians for Independence in January and Business for Scotland in May. | Bus tycoon Sir Brian Souter, chairman of the Stagecoach Group, donated £100,000 to two pro-independence groups - Christians for Independence in January and Business for Scotland in May. |
Better Together campaign director Blair McDougall said the latest figures "did not paint the full picture of the generosity of the thousands of Scots who have made a contribution towards keeping Scotland in the UK". | |
He added that when you include thousands of smaller donations more than £4m had been raised during the period. | |
Mr McDougall said: "What these figures tell us is that the Nationalists simply don't have a broad base of support. In addition to the wide range of bigger donations of £2.4m reported today, we are proud to have raised an additional £1.6m in smaller donations." | |
The campaign boss also claimed that Yes Scotland was doing "whatever it can to funnel cash to front organisations". | |
Electoral Commission rules state that spending by an organisation working with an umbrella campaign group, such as Yes Scotland, must come off the £1.5m spending total for that umbrella group. | |
The rule was put in place to stop umbrella groups setting up front organisations to get around the legal spending limits. | |
The head of the Yes Scotland campaign group, Blair Jenkins, hit back saying Better Together had made "false and completely unsubstantiated allegations". | |
He added: "Yes Scotland has followed the Electoral Commission rules from day one and continue to do so. This is a bit rich coming from a movement that is funded largely by wealthy landowners, bankers and rich Tories many of whom live outwith Scotland and don't have a vote in the referendum." | |
Mr Jenkins said he was pleased with the response from "our massive grassroots support". | |
He went on: "We still have a long way to go and hope that our supporters continue to help fund us to take the campaign over the finishing line with a resounding Yes vote on September 18." |