…Researched and contributed by Solomon Thomas.
The SNP leader, Humza Yousaf, has denied the party faces bankruptcy, following speculation and allegations of financial mismanagement.
Police are investigating the party’s finances and their former chief executive, Peter Murrell, has been arrested amid a search of their home, although he was later released without charge.
While the Scottish First Minister has confirmed that forensic auditors could be appointed, Yousaf has said the party is solvent and the notion of bankruptcy had not been discussed.
The party’s National Executive Council (NEC) has also agreed to a governance and transparency review, including external input around financial oversight, with interim results due in June.
Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, has indicated that the party wants to pick up more than 20 seats in Scotland, with pollsters warning that independence backers seem to be switching to Labour.
Starmer has underlined the importance of breaking the SNP’s dominance north of the border, stating the need to show that they have significant support in Scotland, as they do in Wales and across England.
At the 2019 General Election, the SNP claimed 48 of the 59 seats.
Yousaf made the comments while on the campaign trail in the Rutherglen and Hamilton West constituency, where Labour is aiming to make gains in a potential by-election, after sitting MP Margaret Ferrier damaged the reputation of the Commons by taking part in a debate and travelling by train while suffering from Covid-19.
Commentary
The SNP has faced increasing scrutiny over its finances and governance, with allegations of financial mismanagement, leading some to speculate the party may be facing bankruptcy.
The news comes as Labour seeks to make gains in Scotland, with polls indicating a narrowing gap between Labour and the SNP, and Keir Starmer underlining the importance of breaking the SNP’s dominance north of the border.
With the upcoming by-election in Rutherglen and Hamilton West, which Labour is hoping to make gains, the party is putting significant effort into showing it has support in Scotland ahead of the next general election.
Despite the SNP’s dominance in 2019, with 48 of the 59 seats, polls suggest that independence-backing voters are switching to Labour, which could result in significant losses for the party.
The party’s governance and transparency review, including the possibility of appointing forensic auditors, is a positive step in addressing concerns around financial mismanagement, although the party is likely to face continued scrutiny as the investigation progresses.
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