SNP indicators contract with new auditors AMS Accountants Group as deadlines loom
The SNP has signed a contract with a brand new auditor greater than half a yr after the earlier agency stop.
SNP chief Humza Yousaf confirmed on Wednesday that AMS Accountants Group has taken on the get together’s books.
Mr Yousaf, Scotland’s first minister, stated: “I am pleased to confirm that we have secured the services of auditors to take forward our accounts.
“We take our statutory obligations extraordinarily critically, so it’s welcome news that AMS Accountants Group will full the accounts for each the get together and the SNP Westminster group.
“There is hard work ahead, but it is really encouraging to have them on board as we work towards challenging deadlines.”
The SNP’s Westminster group dangers shedding £1.2m of public funding if it doesn’t submit audited accounts by the 31 May deadline.
The get together can be below stress to file its accounts with the Electoral Commission by 7 July or threat being fined.
It emerged final month that earlier auditors, Johnston Carmichael, stop in September 2022 following a assessment of their shopper portfolio.
Mr Yousaf admitted he was unaware of the situation till turning into get together chief following Nicola Sturgeon’s resignation.
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Nicola Sturgeon spoke to the media on her return to the Scottish Parliament following the arrest of her husband final month
The appointment of a brand new auditor comes amid an ongoing police investigation into the SNP’s funding and funds.
Ms Sturgeon’s husband, former SNP chief government Peter Murrell, was arrested as part of the probe alongside ex-treasurer Colin Beattie. Both males have been subsequently released without charge pending additional inquiries.
New SNP treasurer Stuart McDonald MP stated the announcement of a brand new auditor “represents a significant step forward of the party’s stewardship under the leadership of Humza Yousaf”.
He added: “I am pleased to be getting on with the role of national treasurer at this important time for the SNP, and we will continue working hard and standing up for the people of Scotland.”
Later on Wednesday, the Scottish Conservatives plan to push for a press release on the turmoil engulfing the SNP, claiming it’s “in the public interest”.
Led by Douglas Ross, the Tories will use their Holyrood debating time to hunt readability on the monetary state of affairs inside the ruling get together.
The vote, nonetheless, is more likely to fail due to anticipated help for the Scottish authorities from the Scottish Greens.