The treasurer of the SNP has been arrested in connection with the ongoing investigation into the party’s finances, Police Scotland has said.
Colin Beattie, 71, was taken into custody on Tuesday morning and is being questioned by detectives.
The Scottish National Party has in recent weeks been rocked by questions about its finances and fundraising, prompting a police investigation.
Earlier this month, Peter Murrell, who is Nicola Sturgeon’s husband and the party’s former chief executive, was arrested in connection with the probe.
He was detained for 11 hours and was later released without charge pending further investigations.
First minister Humza Yousaf is facing calls to suspend the SNP membership of those under investigation
Mr Beattie is the long-serving treasurer of the SNP, having held the post from 2004 until 2020, and then again since 2021.
He has also been the MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh since the 2011 Scottish parliament elections, which delivered the first SNP majority government.
Prior to his election to the Scottish Parliament Mr Beattie was the SNP’s group leader on Midlothian council.
The police have warned the public to be careful when discussing the latest arrest on social media so as to avoid contempt of court.
They say they will not comment further on the arrest.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “A 71-year-old man has today, Tuesday, 18 April 2023, been arrested as a suspect in connection with the ongoing investigation into the funding and finances of the Scottish National Party.
“The man is in custody and is being questioned by Police Scotland detectives. A report will be sent to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.
“The matter is active for the purposes of the Contempt of Court Act 1981 and the public are therefore advised to exercise caution if discussing it on social media. As the investigation is ongoing we are unable to comment further.”
An SNP spokesperson said: “We have no comment on a live police investigation.”
There were further media reports over the weekend regarding the SNP’s finances. The Sunday Mail newspaper cited leaked emails which appeared to show Ms Sturgeon blocked plans to hire a fundraising manager for the party when she was leader and first minister despite concerns about transparency.
Police Scotland detectives are said to have been handed emails showing Ms Sturgeon quashed the idea of a fundraising manager in June 2021, according to Scottish newspaper.
The Mail also published a video in which Ms Sturgeon told the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) that there were no problems with the accounts, despite concerns.
The probe relates to £660,000 raised specifically for Scottish independence campaigning, which was alleged diverted from a “ring-fenced” fund – a move which sparked the exit of several senior people from the SNP.
Jackie Baillie, the Scottish Labour deputy leader, called on first minister Humza Yousaf to suspend those under investigation.
“For too long, a culture of secrecy and cover-up has been allowed to fester at the heart of the SNP,” she said.
“And while the investigation spreads, the SNP is still refusing to take the basic step of suspending MSPs who are the subject of police inquiries.
“Humza Yousaf’s inaction raises questions – is his priority the cover up to protect the SNP or the people of Scotland?”
Craig Hoy, the chair of the Scottish Conservatives, said the police investigation was “consuming” the SNP and urged the party’s leader to “get a grip of the situation”.
“He must show some leadership and suspend Colin Beattie – along with Peter Murrell and Nicola Sturgeon,” Mr Hoy said.
“That is the precedent the party set when politicians such as of Michelle Thomson and Natalie McGarry were under investigation – and it must be followed here, for the benefit of everyone.
“Colin Beattie should also stand down from membership of the Public Audit Committee until the conclusion of the investigation.
“This extremely serious matter is escalating by the day and everyone in the SNP has a duty to be as transparent as possible about what they knew and when.”
