Nicola Sturgeon did “nothing untoward” by privately trying to shut down scrutiny of the SNP’s finances, a close ally has claimed, as she battles to save her political career.
Ian Blackford, the SNP’s former Westminster leader and a Sturgeon loyalist, insisted that the former leader had done nothing wrong after a leaked video that showed her aggressively denying there was any problem with the party’s accounts.
Ms Sturgeon was captured on film in March 2021 telling a meeting of the party’s ruling National Executive Committee that the SNP’s finances had “never been stronger” and warned colleagues not to suggest there were “any problems” with cash.
However, within weeks Ms Sturgeon’s husband, Peter Murrell, lent the party £107,620 to address what the SNP previously said were “cash flow” issues, and a police probe was launched into alleged fraud.
Mr Murrell, who was the SNP chief executive for more than two decades before he quit last month, was arrested on April 5 and the couple’s home was raided as part of the police investigation. He was released without charge as the probe continues.
Sources within the SNP believe that Ms Sturgeon could be forced to quit as an MSP “sooner rather than later”.
She is to stay away from Holyrood this week, despite previously pledging to be an active backbencher, and has not set a date for her return.
Mr Blackford said: “If you listen to that clip, what the First Minister was reflecting on was the ability of the SNP to conduct itself as an organisation, having the financial resources in order to fight elections and to support its members.
“There is nothing which is in any way untoward on that clip that was shown over the course of the weekend.”
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‘Nothing untoward’ with Nicola Sturgeon’s attempts to shut down finance debate, says ally
Story by Daniel Sanderson • Yesterday 12:44
Nicola Sturgeon did “nothing untoward” by privately trying to shut down scrutiny of the SNP’s finances, a close ally has claimed, as she battles to save her political career.
Ian Blackford alongside Nicola Sturgeon – Stefan Rousseau/PA© Stefan Rousseau/PA
Ian Blackford, the SNP’s former Westminster leader and a Sturgeon loyalist, insisted that the former leader had done nothing wrong after a leaked video that showed her aggressively denying there was any problem with the party’s accounts.
Ms Sturgeon was captured on film in March 2021 telling a meeting of the party’s ruling National Executive Committee that the SNP’s finances had “never been stronger” and warned colleagues not to suggest there were “any problems” with cash.
However, within weeks Ms Sturgeon’s husband, Peter Murrell, lent the party £107,620 to address what the SNP previously said were “cash flow” issues, and a police probe was launched into alleged fraud.
Mr Murrell, who was the SNP chief executive for more than two decades before he quit last month, was arrested on April 5 and the couple’s home was raided as part of the police investigation. He was released without charge as the probe continues.
Ian Blackford – Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images Europe© Provided by The Telegraph
Sources within the SNP believe that Ms Sturgeon could be forced to quit as an MSP “sooner rather than later”.
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She is to stay away from Holyrood this week, despite previously pledging to be an active backbencher, and has not set a date for her return.
Mr Blackford said: “If you listen to that clip, what the First Minister was reflecting on was the ability of the SNP to conduct itself as an organisation, having the financial resources in order to fight elections and to support its members.
“There is nothing which is in any way untoward on that clip that was shown over the course of the weekend.”
Humza Yousaf, who replaced Ms Sturgeon, is facing opposition demands to suspend her and Mr Murrell’s party memberships if she refuses to walk away voluntarily.
The Sunday Mail, which obtained the video of Ms Sturgeon, reported that police were also examining claims that she had sought to block enhanced scrutiny of the SNP finances by vetoing the proposed appointment of a fundraising manager.
‘There’s no need for suspension at all’
However, asked whether Ms Sturgeon should be suspended while police carried out their probe, Mr Blackford said “goodness gracious, absolutely not, there’s no need for that at all”.
He went on to praise Ms Sturgeon, who he still referred to as “the first minister” despite her resignation, for what she had “done for us”.
On growing expectations that Ms Sturgeon would quit the party, he told the BBC’s Good Morning Scotland: “I think what you’ve seen is idle speculation.
“I speak to my colleague Nicola on a very regular basis and I can tell you that she’s focused on serving the interests of her constituents.
“I think history will judge all of us, and show a woman that has led our country through the Covid pandemic, has given inspiring leadership to all of us. She’s still got an awful lot to give.”……