Colin Beattie quits as SNP treasurer after arrest amid cash probe
COLIN Beattie has quit as SNP treasurer after he was arrested over the party cash probe.
The 71-year-old, who is the MSP for the Midlothian North and Musselburgh constituency, was nicked yesterday in connection with the ongoing investigation.
Mr Beattie was nicked at his Dalkeith home yesterday morning around 8am, but was later released without charge pending further enquiries.
A statement released today announced he was stepping down from the treasurer’s role with immediate effect.
Mr Beattie vowed to cooperate fully with cops as they continue to probe the spending of around £600,000 of cash from an IndyRef2 online crowdfunder in 2017.
He said: “This afternoon I informed the party leader that I will be stepping back from my role as SNP National Treasurer with immediate effect.
“I have also informed the SNP Chief Whip at Holyrood that I will be stepping back from my role on the Public Audit Committee until the Police investigation has concluded.
“On a personal level, this decision has not been easy, but it is the right decision to avoid further distraction to the important work being led by Humza Yousaf to improve the SNP’s governance and transparency.
“I will continue to cooperate fully with Police Scotland’s enquiries and it would be inappropriate for me to comment any further on a live case.”
First Minister Humza Yousaf thanked the outgoing treasurer after his announcement, saying: “I want to offer my thanks to Colin. I know that his decision to step back from the role of SNP National Treasurer will not have been an easy one, but he has done so in the best interest of the Party.
“A new Treasurer will be appointed as soon as possible.”
Mr Beattie’s arrest came as part of a probe which has seen Nats chiefs under investigation for the past 18 months.
He arrived home last night with detectives who were spotted carrying a bag into and out of the property.
And earlier this month, Nicola Sturgeon’s husband Peter Murrell – who quit as SNP Chief Exec in March – was arrested amid the investigation.
The ex-First Minister’s home was sealed off for several hours and raided by cops who searched the property.
SNP HQ was searched with officers leaving the Edinburgh office block after several hours.
A £110k luxury motorhome that was supposed to be used as the SNP’s battle bus in the 2021 election was also seized outside Murrell’s 90-year-old mum’s house.
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