Yousaf ‘not disturbed’ by video of Sturgeon dismissing SNP financial concerns

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. She told the NEC that the party had “never been in a stronger financial position than it is now”, adding: “I’m not going to get into the details … but just be very careful about suggestions that there are problems with the party’s finances because we depend on donors to donate – there are no reasons for people to be concerned about the party’s finances and all of us need to be careful about suggesting that there is.” After the video surfaced, the Scottish Tories led calls for the former first minister to be suspended from the party. “My absolute focus is to make sure we get auditors in place – exceptionally important given the Electoral Commission deadline.” He added: “Nobody ever said the job of first minister or indeed leader of the SNP was going to be an easy task.” Earlier, SNP MP Ian Blackford rejected calls for Ms Sturgeon to be suspended. “I think that’s some of our opponents politicking, really, in this context.” Of the video, Mr Blackford said, there was “nothing which was in any way untoward”, adding: “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.” The video was reportedly from a meeting of the ruling body in March 2021, days before a complaint was made to police about the use of £600,000 of donations earmarked for an independence referendum campaign, which would result in a police investigation and the subsequent arrest of her husband, and former SNP chief executive, Peter Murrell. A spokeswoman for Ms Sturgeon said on Monday: “In order to ensure the focus of this week is on the new First Minister setting out his priorities for the people of Scotland, Ms Sturgeon has always intended to participate remotely and intends to return to Holyrood in the near future.” A report in the Daily Telegraph suggesting Ms Sturgeon would step down as an MSP was dismissed by the former Westminster leader as “idle speculation”.