Background of the Police Complaint
The Scottish National Party (SNP) is currently subject to a new police complaint alleging that it misled members regarding the use of £667,000 raised for an independence referendum campaign. Independence activist Sean Clerkin has accused the party of "misusing" the fund for "general" SNP campaigning, according to reports by the Scottish Sun.
A Police Scotland spokesperson stated:
"We are aware that an individual wishes to make a complaint and officers from the economic crime unit will make contact to assess their information."
This development follows First Minister John Swinney's confirmation that the funds were allocated for the SNP's "ongoing activity," emphasizing that the money was spent on "independence objectives."
Concerns about the fund had previously led to a police investigation culminating last week in former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell—who is also Nicola Sturgeon's estranged husband—admitting to embezzling over £400,000 from the party. The recent complaint adds another layer to the ongoing and complex dispute regarding the SNP's financial management.
Why Were There Concerns About the £667,000?
The SNP raised £667,000 through two online fundraisers following Nicola Sturgeon's announcement in March 2017 of plans for a second independence referendum, a response to the Brexit referendum outcome.
The first fundraiser, named ScotRef, collected nearly £500,000 towards a £1 million goal before it was discontinued in June 2017 after the SNP's disappointing performance in the general election. The ScotRef website encouraged supporters to pledge their backing for Scotland's referendum.
The second fundraiser, "yes.scot," was launched following Boris Johnson's general election victory in 2019 and increased the total fund to nearly £667,000.
In June 2017, the SNP asserted that these funds were "ring-fenced" specifically for a referendum campaign.
However, in 2020, questions arose when the party's 2019 accounts revealed a bank balance of £97,000 and net assets of £272,000, prompting claims that the money had gone missing.
Activists speculated that the funds may have been diverted to other uses, such as the 2017 general election campaign, rather than being reserved exclusively for the referendum.
What Did the Party Say?
Between March and May 2021, scrutiny intensified as three members of the SNP's finance committee and treasurer Douglas Chapman resigned after being denied access to detailed financial information. Subsequently, SNP ruling body member Joanna Cherry resigned in June 2021, citing a lack of transparency.
At that time, John Swinney, then deputy first minister, told the BBC there was a "huge amount of scrutiny of party finances."
A leaked video from a private SNP ruling body meeting in March 2021 showed Nicola Sturgeon asserting that the party "had never been in a stronger financial position."
In June 2021, Sturgeon denied that any money had "gone missing," affirming that "every penny" would be used for a referendum campaign.
Later that summer, then SNP treasurer Colin Beattie publicly acknowledged that some of the money had been used for other purposes but maintained that "amounts equivalent to the sums raised will be spent for the intended purpose."
The party explained that the funds were not held in a separate bank account but were "earmarked" to ensure the total amount would be available for a referendum campaign.
What Was the First Police Complaint About?
Concerns about the SNP's financial management led to several reports to the police, including one from Sean Clerkin in 2021, who sought clarity on the use of the independence fund.
In July 2021, Police Scotland formally initiated Operation Branchform, an investigation into the SNP's finances.
Although the inquiry began with concerns about the independence funds, it ultimately focused on Peter Murrell's embezzlement.
Murrell, the former chief executive and Nicola Sturgeon's estranged husband, admitted to using party funds for over 1,000 purchases, including cars, a motorhome, a robotic lawnmower, Montblanc pens, and cosmetics.
As Murrell awaits sentencing, questions about the independence fund's usage persist.
Was the Money Used to Repay a £1 Million Loan?
Stuart Campbell, a blogger from Wings Over Scotland whose concerns about the 2019 accounts initiated the initial complaints, speculated that the independence funds were used for general election campaigning and to repay a £1 million loan from Eurolottery winners Colin and Chris Weir.
The SNP did not provide a response when asked to comment on these allegations.
Reflecting on Sturgeon's 2021 response to the raised concerns, she told the BBC:
"The issue that was being looked into was whether the £600,000 that had been raised to fund a second independence referendum had been used for election campaigning. And my comments were saying that the £600,000, although it didn't sit in a separate bank account, was there and realisable for a referendum campaign when that happened."
She denied that the money had been raised on "false pretences."
When questioned on Wednesday about the use of the £667,000, John Swinney stated it was part of the SNP's resources "to support its independence objectives."
Regarding whether all the money had been spent, he told Bauer Media:
"I'm saying it's part of the ongoing activities of the Scottish National Party. We're the party that campaigns for independence. We just fought an election campaign in which we had a very, very strong anchoring of our campaign for independence. If that's not the use of the resources then I'm not sure I understand what the resources are for."
SNP deputy leader Keith Brown told BBC Radio Scotland Breakfast that police had "forensically examined" the independence fund.
He added:
"And the party has been absolutely clear that the money that it raises will be used in pursuit of independence, and in the interim the pursuit of a question of a referendum, Scotland's right to have a referendum on independence."
Why the Fresh Police Complaint?
Comments from John Swinney have intensified accusations that the SNP spent the money not specifically on an independence campaign.
Sean Clerkin claims the party raised the funds "for one thing and using it for another."
Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said:
"SNP members and supporters donated their hard-earned money believing it would be used for a future referendum campaign. People will rightly ask whether they were misled. They will rightly ask why the SNP continues to resist scrutiny."
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay described Swinney's comments about the independence fund as "damning" and stated they "surely destroy any residual trust" in the SNP.
