ASH Regan has backed calls for former SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon to be suspended from the party until the police probe into its finances can be cleared up “one way or the other”.
Regan, a former junior minister who ran in the SNP leadership race in the wake of Sturgeon’s resignation, suggested that she would equally back suspensions for Peter Murrell, the party’s former chief executive, and Colin Beattie, the party’s treasurer who was arrested on Tuesday.
Speaking to the BBC World at One, Regan was asked if she agreed with opposition calls for Beattie, Sturgeon, and Murrell to be suspended while the police probe is going on.
She responded: “Yes, I think if it is found that people have been involved in something of this nature, that certainly until that can be cleared up, whether that’s one way or the other, that they should be suspended from the party.”
She appeared to row back slightly on the comments afterwards, insisting that she did not know the full details of what had gone on.
Asked if she would then back suspensions for “all the top layer of the party who’ve only just recently departed”, Regan said: “No. I said that … someone would need to go in and be briefed on what exactly is happening and what I’m saying is if there are instances where people are involved in something significant of this nature then they should be suspended.”
Regan called for First Minister Humza Yousaf – who she gave her support – to take “decisive action”.
The former minister was further asked for her views on calls to rerun the recent SNP leadership race. She said that while she had heard the calls, they were “not something I am saying myself, no”.
Asked if she supported or had any sympathy for a rerun, Regan said: “I do have sympathy with that argument. However, I made my views on this at the time very clear.
“I said that at the time, when some senior members in the SNP had resigned, specifically thinking of people like Peter Murrell who resigned over membership figures, that that was a material change in circumstances.
“My suggestion at that time was that we had an ability to edit votes, so that members who felt that they wanted to change their vote could do so. And perhaps if we had that, perhaps if [SNP president] Mike Russell had allowed that, we might be in a different situation.”
In the wake of Beattie’s arrest, Scottish Tory chair Craig Hoy said that the SNP had set a “precedent” of suspending members under police investigation.
Hoy said: “[Humza Yousaf] must show some leadership and suspend Colin Beattie – along with Peter Murrell and Nicola Sturgeon.
“That is the precedent the party set when politicians such as Michelle Thomson and Natalie McGarry were under investigation – and it must be followed here, for the benefit of everyone.”
In a statement on Tuesday morning, Police Scotland said: “A 71-year-old man has today, Tuesday, April 18, 2023, been arrested as a suspect in connection with the ongoing investigation into the funding and finances of the Scottish National Party.
“The man is in custody and is being questioned by Police Scotland detectives. A report will be sent to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.
“The matter is active for the purposes of the Contempt of Court Act 1981 and the public are therefore advised to exercise caution if discussing it on social media.
“As the investigation is ongoing we are unable to comment further.”
The SNP were approached for comment.
