Humza Yousaf has said SNP members will not be refunded donations said to be ring-fenced for independence campaigning if there is no referendum within the next year
Speaking on LBC radio while on a visit to London, the SNP leader said: “Well, first of all the £600,000 is part of the police investigation, hence why it’d be very dangerous for me to comment on it.
“But it’s very much a focus as it’s been made public, by the police. So that is the focus of the police investigation. Look, money that is raised from the membership by the party, we’re going to spend that in advancing the cause of independence referendum…
“We’re not reimbursing people for the donations that they have made. People make donations to the party because they want to advance the cause of independence. Every pound and penny that we spend as a party will be on advancing the cause of independence.”
Yousaf also said that he would "of course" be willing to co-operate with a Labour government - but added that one of his key demands would be the power to hold an independence referendum being devolved to Scotland.
Labour could need support from the SNP if they are the biggest party at the next general election but fall short of a majority.
When Yousaf was asked in an interview on LBC's Tonight with Andrew Marr if Labour winning the next General Election without an overall majority makes Scottish independence more likely, he said: "Well, we would certainly be willing to co-operate with a Labour government because we want to see the back of the Tories. But of course, that would come at a cost.
"And of course, the first demand I would make would be to get powers over a Section 30 Order and having that devolved to Scotland.
"We know that if Labour has a majority, then they ignore Scotland. They did that last time they were in power; they will do it again. So, in order to get Scotland's voice heard in Westminster, you have to vote for as many SNP MPs.
"And if there is a hung Parliament, then of course, we will co-operate, I'll say that unequivocally. We'll co-operate with anybody that is a progressive political party that's looking to see the back of the Tories, but there will be a price."
A Section 30 Order under the Scotland Act allows Holyrood to pass laws which are usually reserved to Westminster.
It was used for the 2014 independence referendum.
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