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Friday, 21 July, 2000, 16:29 GMT 17:29 UK

SNP rejects call for finances inquiry


SNP HQ
The Scottish National Party has rejected its youth wing's call for an independent inquiry into its finances.

Young Scots for Independence said all the details of the party's finances must be revealed, otherwise an ongoing row over the accounts could damage the party.

The party's financial problems have caused a huge internal row, which have led to the suspension of party treasurer, Ian Blackford.

Heather Williams
But while the young nationalists said they were still awaiting answers from SNP bosses about the dispute, the party said it saw no reason for an inquiry as the finances were now in the "strong hands" of acting treasurer, Kenny MacAskill MSP.

A spokesman also stressed that the party was on the way to solving its financial problems.

The young nationalists said the action against Mr Blackford had only served to heighten tensions within the party.

They warned that the dispute could have a negative effect on the party with a leadership battle under way following the surprise announcement earlier this week of Alex Salmond's resignation and the impending general election.

Convener, Heather Williams, said: "There seems to be a bit of an argument going on at the moment about the party's finances and we think it is becoming quite damaging to the party. Basically we want this sorted once and for all.

Legal advice

"At the moment nobody is in possession of 100% of the facts and we want to make sure this is sorted so that we can go into the Westminster campaign fighting for independence and not fighting each other."

Mr Blackford has denied that the dispute had anything to do with Mr Salmond's decision to step down.

He took legal advice on defamation proceedings after being suspended as treasurer at a meeting of the SNP's national executive last month.

Ian Blackford
A managing director with an international investment bank, Mr Blackford said that Mr Salmond had made statements which were damaging to his professional reputation.

He said the leader had accused him of incompetence in his stewardship of the party's finances, of overspending at the Scottish election and of destabilising the party by leaks to the media.

Despite deputy leader John Swinney's assurances last month that the turmoil was over, the party has continued to be affected.

Meanwhile, the SNP has released a statement about a new computer system, developed and owned by the party's trading arm and used for research by the party's MSPs.

The statement said the project had been cleared by the parliament as a totally legitimate use of office expenses.


Related to this story:
Salmond to quit as SNP leader (17 Jul 00 | Scotland)
SNP treasurer steps up fight (19 Jul 00 | Scotland)
Resignation letter in full (17 Jul 00 | Scotland)
SNP treasurer denies resignation link (18 Jul 00 | Scotland)
SNP treasurer dispute 'over' (14 Jun 00 | Scotland)
SNP suspends treasurer (13 Jun 00 | Scotland)


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