Ian Blackford denies SNP faces cash crisis and insists party finances are 'robust'
dailyrecord.co.ukIan Blackford has denied the SNP faces a cash crisis amid reports the party's falling membership has stretched its finances to breaking point.The MP for Skye and Lochaber spoke out following a meeting of the Nationalists' executive council yesterday which warned of the need to raise funds to fight a possible by-election in Rutherglen.
The SNP is also facing mounting legal costs as Police Scotland continues a long-running investigation into the party's finances.More than 30,000 members have quit over the last two years over a range of issues including independence strategy and gender recognition reform.
Blackford told the BBC today that the SNP was solvent and the party would be able to meet all of its obligations going forward.And he claimed to have forgotten when he was first told the party's auditors had resigned - despite being the SNP leader at Westminster at the time.
It follows a warning from Colin Beattie, the SNP treasurer, reportedly told members yesterday the party was "having difficulty in balancing the books due to the reduction in membership and donors".Blackford said: "Absolutely, categorically, the SNP is solvent, the finances are in balance.
Read more on dailyrecord.co.uk