SNP leader Humza Yousaf has said he does “not believe” that the party is operating in a criminal way after the arrest of the party’s treasurer Colin Beattie this morning.
The arrest of Mr Beattie, who also serves as an MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, is the second in relation to the investigation into how more than £600,000 in donations to the party earmarked for an independence referendum had been used.
Asked if it was operating criminally, Mr Yousaf told reporters: “No, certainly I don’t believe it is at all, no.”
Asked if he was surprised at Mr Beattie’s arrest, he said: “Well, yes, of course I’m surprised when one of my colleagues has been arrested. It’s a very serious matter, indeed.”
Mr Yousaf said he wanted to discuss “pertinent issues” about Mr Beattie’s role as the SNP treasurer – and his role on the Scottish parliament’s public audit committee – with him later.
