Angela Constance in 'car crash' interview to explain how SNP spent independence fund
Angela Constance has suggested members would donate more money if another independence referendum was held after the fighting fund was spent by the SNP.
A senior SNP minister has struggled to explain where the party’s ring-fenced £667,000 independence referendum fight fund has been spent in a “car crash” interview - appearing to justify it was legitimate to be spent on routine matters.
Two referendum campaign fundraisers, launched in 2017 and 2019, raised a combined £667,000.
Health Secretary Angela Constance was pressed on BBC Radio Scotland after SNP leader John Swinney yesterday admitted that the fund, that was promised to be spent on fighting a second independence referendum, had been spent.
Concerns raised by those who donated to the fund sparked the police investigation into the SNP’s funds, Operation Branchform, that led to Peter Murrell, the estranged husband of Nicola Sturgeon, admitting embezzling more than £400,000 from party funds.
Asked about the ring-fenced fund being squandered, Ms Constance said: “I don’t have much to add to what the First Minister has said.”
Pressed where the money has gone, Ms Constance appeared to justify the ring-fenced referendum funding being spent on day-to-day matters for the SNP.
She said: “The whole raison d’etre of the Scottish National Party is to further the cause of independence. We do that day in day out.
“Of course, the matter, in terms of the original complaint that was made to the police, has been investigated.”
Ms Constance added: “What essentially this matter is is an internal party matter.
“The justice system has done its job and got to the root of the matter, which is the embezzlement of a large amount of money from my party, from SNP members.”
Asked again what that fund has been spent on, Ms Constance said: “I would say that members of the SNP campaign for independence each and every day.
“All of our activities are about furthering the cause of independence.”
Pressed over whether the SNP could face another police investigation after reports suggested one person who donated to the fund has contacted the police over the issue, Ms Constance said: “That would be a matter for the police.”
She added that there has “already been an extensive police investigation”.
Asked what she had to say to those who donated and wish to know where that money has gone, Ms Constance said that the SNP’s National Executive Committee “thoroughly scrutinises and explores the party’s use of resources”.
Ms Constance, who has been the chairperson of the SNP since the end of 2023, added: “What I can say is the party rightly so, after the departure of Peter Murrell and commencement of criminal proceedings, has of course reinvigorated its internal governance procedures.”
She added that the SNP has “revamped the HQ operation for internal and external purposes” and pointed to “rigorous procedures that are in place”.
Ms Constance was asked how the SNP would fund an independence campaign if the UK government changes its mind and agrees to a re-run of the 2014 referendum, and appeared to suggest that members and supporters would simply hand over more funding to support the effort.
She said: “I can assure you that party finances are very healthy and our members are very generous and continue to donate to the party.
“In the event of an independence referendum, I have no doubt that the party and the movement will galvanise around that.”
Scottish Labour deputy leader, Jackie Baillie, said: “This was a complete car crash of an interview. Angela Constance was an embarrassment as she flailed about trying to defend the indefensible.
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“The SNP’s credibility has been completely shot to pieces and dishonest John clearly does not have a single shred of integrity by repeatedly refusing to allow an inquiry to take place
“This money was donated by people in good faith, having been specifically told it would be for a ‘ring-fenced’ fund towards an independence campaign.”
She added: “However, it was spent fraudulently by Peter Murrell, allowing Nicola Sturgeon to live a life of luxury, while the SNP helped itself to that money to fund its every-day activities.
“This is an outrageous scandal, and SNP ministers should be utterly ashamed that they are continuing to deny the public the truth, including who knew what and when.
“If Swinney and the SNP have nothing to hide, they have nothing to fear from a parliamentary inquiry. However, their stubborn determination to dig themselves into an even bigger hole makes them look ridiculous.”
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