SNP treasurer dispute 'over'

Members are receiving letters from party leaders

A senior Scottish National Party official has said the row over the suspension of treasurer Ian Blackford has been "resolved".

Deputy leader, John Swinney, tried to put a lid on the controversy, which other political parties have described as "civil war" within the SNP.

Mr Blackford was suspended on Tuesday, a day after threatening to sue SNP leader, Alex Salmond, for defamation.

His warning followed a meeting of the party executive at the weekend, from which Mr Blackford was absent, where a motion of no confidence in him was moved by Mr Salmond and passed by 18 votes to three.

We happened to run into our internal difficulties. We have resolved it

John Swinney

However, Mr Blackford has refused to let the issue lie and said he would sue for defamation if necessary.

He said the party leader made statements which were damaging to his professional reputation as an international banker.

His suspension will be the main item for discussion at a meeting of the executive on 8 July, where he will be given the opportunity to argue his case.

Acting treasurer, Lothian MSP Kenny MacAskill, and national secretary, Stuart Hosie, have written to party members in an attempt to defuse the situation.

'Moving on'

Party chiefs believed that the internal divisions would be brought to an end after Mr Blackford was suspended.

John Swinney told BBC Scotland: "From time to time, political parties will run into their internal difficulties and the SNP is no different to those other political parties.

"We happened to run into our internal difficulties. We have resolved it.

"We have appointed as acting national treasurer, Kenny MacAskill, a very good one and someone able to handle these issues for the party. We are determined to move on."

John Swinney: "Internal difficulties"

The last general election and Scottish Parliament campaigns left the SNP in debt. Last month, the figure was reported to be £400,000.

Mr Swinney said the party had been "systematically reducing" the debt with great success. "We are very confident that by the end of this financial year, we will have eliminated the overdraft we have been carrying."

He insisted: "What we have been very determined to do since the Scottish parliamentary elections and after them, is to make sure that we have strong financial controls in place and the ability to ensure that we maximise the effectiveness when spending party resources.

"In the current climate, we have got to get an overdraft reduced to ensure that the party is able to fight with the greatest potential for the next Westminster elections.

"We are doing that very successfully."