07 April 2023 , 13:13
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The accountancy firm which audits the SNP's accounts has quit, the party has confirmed.
Johnston Carmichael will no longer provide its services after reportedly reviewing its client portfolio.
It comes after former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell, who is Nicola Sturgeon's husband, was arrested on Wednesday morning in a police investigation into the party's finances.
He was later released without charge pending further investigation.
An SNP spokesman said: "We can confirm that Johnston Carmichael will not be providing audit services to the SNP this year.
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"The national treasurer is undertaking a tendering process for alternative provision and we have advised the Electoral Commission of that position."
Mr Murrell was arrested but later released without charge in a probe into SNP finances (Getty Images)Following Mr Murrell's arrest and a search of the home he shares with Ms Sturgeon, new First Minister Humza Yousaf said it was "very, very clear that the governance of the party was not as it should be".
He said the SNP could co-operate fully with the probe.
Scottish Labour's deputy leader Jackie Baillie said the company's resignation posed "serious questions".
She told the BBC: "Yesterday, Humza Yousaf attempted to distance himself from the legacy of Peter Murrell - today we need to know what the current first minister plans to do to get the SNP's house in order.
"Sunlight is the best disinfectant - we need transparency and openness from the SNP now."
And Scottish Conservative constitution spokesperson Donald Cameron called on the SNP to be "fully transparent" about the move.
New First Minister Humza Yousaf said the SNP would co-operate fully with policeHe said: "The public are sick of the SNP shrouding matters relating to their finances behind a wall of secrecy, and senior figures - including Humza Yousaf and Nicola Sturgeon - must be upfront about this situation."
Police Scotland have been investigating the spending of money which was earmarked for Scottish independence campaigning.
Mr Murrell, who married Ms Sturgeon in 2010, resigned as SNP chief executive three weeks ago after taking responsibility for misleading the media about party membership numbers.
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Mr Murrell said he had become a distraction to the leadership race., triggered by his wife’s announcement she would quit as party chief and First Minister.