Police are investigating claims that approximately £1.5 million has gone missing from Yes Scotland, a company established by the Scottish National Party (SNP) to manage the pro-independence campaign. The probe follows a complaint lodged by a former SNP branch secretary regarding alleged financial anomalies.
David Henry, who previously sought the position of SNP national secretary, filed a formal complaint with police last Thursday, citing fraud concerns. He is scheduled to provide a full statement and a dossier of evidence to the police this week. Police Scotland has confirmed that inquiries into the matter are underway.
Yes Scotland was founded by Alex Salmond, the then-First Minister, in the lead-up to the 2014 Scottish independence referendum. The company remains active.
Financial Discrepancies Emerge
Concerns about the funds stem from a note in Yes Scotland's 2014 accounts. According to the accounts, directors reviewed the accounting treatment of donations, recognizing them as income upon receipt. This resulted in a reduction of deferred income as of April 30, 2013, from £878,978 to nil, while simultaneously increasing other income by £878,978, from £1,524,998 to £2,403,976.
Mr. Henry asserts that the £1.5 million figure mentioned in the accounts is unaccounted for, as no corresponding 'other income' is detailed in subsequent financial statements. He claims his evidence to the police will also address suspicions about whether SNP staff acting as 'shadow directors' for Yes Scotland were following directives from senior party officials, stating, "the whole thing stinks."
"Nothing adds up," Mr. Henry told the Sunday Mail. "The Yes campaign took in millions but from 2016 dormant accounts have been submitted with zero balances; the money is just gone."
Calls for Inquiry Intensify
The allegations have intensified demands for a comprehensive parliamentary inquiry into the fallout from the sentencing of Peter Murrell, who received a five-year prison sentence for embezzling over £400,000 from the SNP. Last week, Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) urged Holyrood to launch an investigation, but the SNP opposed the motion, contending that MSPs had already voted on the matter.
Jackie Baillie, deputy leader of Scottish Labour, described the allegations as "incredibly serious" and stated, "There are still far too many unanswered questions surrounding Peter Murrell’s fraudulent activities and the secrecy of the SNP."
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay added, "Peter Murrell’s crimes were enabled by the SNP’s toxic culture of control and aggressive aversion to basic levels of scrutiny. But John Swinney’s determination to shut down an independent inquiry shows that they haven’t learned any lessons. That’s why an inquiry is critical and why these latest allegations should be fully investigated by the police."
An SNP spokesperson commented, "The criminal actions of Peter Murrell were uncovered by a police investigation which found the SNP was the victim of embezzlement."