SNP president says party faces 'biggest crisis in 50 years' amid finances probe
dailyrecord.co.ukA senior figure in the SNP has said the party faces its biggest crisis in 50 years amid the police investigation into its finances.Mike Russell, the SNP president and a former minister, also said he does not think independence can be achieved “right now”.
On Wednesday, former chief executive Peter Murrell was arrested by police investigating the spending of around £600,000 which was earmarked for an independence campaign.Mr Murrell, who is Nicola Sturgeon’s husband, was released on Wednesday evening without charge pending further investigation.
Police searched their home in Glasgow for more than a day, with uniformed officers also searching the SNP’s headquarters in Edinburgh.In an interview with The Herald newspaper, Mr Russell said recent weeks had been “wearing” for the SNP, which recently selected Humza Yousaf to succeed Ms Sturgeon as party leader.He said: “In my 50-year association with the party this is the biggest and most challenging crisis we’ve ever faced, certainly while we’ve been in government.
But I have an obligation to this party and the movement for Scottish independence that’s been such a massive part of my life for so long.”He continued: “I don’t think independence can be secured right now; we need to work towards some coordinated campaigning.
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