SNP corruption scandal

[Cambridgecutie]

I am reminded of other recent cases where wives have been completely shocked by their husband's crimes which they were unaware of (and there's no evidence to the contrary) until the police became involved:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Britton

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelicot_rape_case

[Cambridgecutie]

The only quibble I have with her is her overhasty rush into another independence referendum. Even if they had obtained one legally I doubt the appetite was there for an issue which divided a nation so intensely.

I was surprised that Nicola thwarted attempts for the auditors to examine the books. Maybe she felt she was being loyal to her husband. I didn't know they had been together as a couple for so long. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-10652420

The first SI referendum was Sep 2014
The UK remaining/leaving EU referendum was Jun 2016
Scotland elected to remain (62%).  England to remain (48%).
The UK left EU.
NS probably thought she could swing it on the above.

[Hardy Boy]

Joanna Cherry has been very principled throughout over this.  She was appallingly treated by Sturgeon and the SNP heirarchy.  The interview you linked is interesting.

I agree NGB, she was shut down every time she raised the issue about finances.  She was sacked for unacceptable behaviour, unacceptable behaviour including asking about party finances.  Sturgeon avoided these questions, she didn’t want scrutiny about finances.  I thought she was the best out of a bad bunch, I liked her stance on various matters.

[Steve_uk]

I agree NGB, she was shut down every time she raised the issue about finances.  She was sacked for unacceptable behaviour, unacceptable behaviour including asking about party finances.  Sturgeon avoided these questions, she didn’t want scrutiny about finances.  I thought she was the best out of a bad bunch, I liked her stance on various matters.

The allegation Joanna Cherry makes that Nicola thwarted attempts to uncover malpractice has yet to be proven, which is why I reserve judgement. There were people charged with the task of examining the books, who, as Nicola herself says in the following interview couldn't decipher the embezzlement, so it may be unfair to expect Nicola to have done so. https://youtu.be/kPyYC8THiNo

[Hardy Boy]

The allegation Joanna Cherry makes that Nicola thwarted attempts to uncover malpractice has yet to be proven, which is why I reserve judgement. There were people charged with the task of examining the books, who, as Nicola herself says in the following interview couldn't decipher the embezzlement, so it may be unfair to expect Nicola to have done so. https://youtu.be/kPyYC8THiNo

A leaked video has emerged apparently showing former SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon playing down worries about the party's finances.
The footage, published by the Sunday Mail, external, is said to be from a virtual meeting of the party's ruling body, recorded in March 2021.
Ms Sturgeon told National Executive Committee (NEC) members the party's finances had never been stronger.
She also warned of the impact on donors of going public with concerns.
SNP says finances are balanced after crisis reports
SNP ruling body orders transparency review
Sturgeon's husband arrested in SNP finance probe
In the two-minute clip Ms Sturgeon said she had been on the NEC continuously for 20 years, including times when the party had been "frankly teetering on the edge of bankruptcy".
She added: "The party has never been in a stronger financial position than it is right now and that's a reflection of our strength and our membership. So, just a bit of context for us all to remember."
Ms Sturgeon, who appears to have been recorded without her knowledge, also issued a direct appeal to those attending the virtual meeting.


She added: "Just be very careful about suggestions that there are problems with the party's finances because we depend on donors to donate.



"There are no reasons for people to be concerned about the party's finances and all of us need to be careful about not suggesting that there is."
The ex-SNP leader also urged members not to leak any details from the meeting because that would limit "the ability for open, free and frank discussion".
The SNP NEC meeting held on 20 March 2021 took place against a backdrop of growing internal dissent about transparency.
According to the Sunday Mail, three senior officials - Edinburgh Lord Provost Frank Ross, Allison Graham and Cynthia Guthrie - had just revealed to the NEC their intention to resign from the party's finance and audit committee after being denied sight of the accounts.
In May that year, two NEC members - SNP national treasurer Douglas Chapman and MP Joanna Cherry - resigned from the ruling body, citing concerns about transparency.

[Hardy Boy]

I am reminded of other recent cases where wives have been completely shocked by their husband's crimes which they were unaware of (and there's no evidence to the contrary) until the police became involved:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Britton

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelicot_rape_case

Concerns was raised about finances for years, when enough people start asking questions you expect it to generate curiosity, especially when a brand new jaguar rolls up and (disputed if she knew) a 24’ motorhome appears at the ma in laws and been sitting there for two years?

[Steve_uk]

A leaked video has emerged apparently showing former SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon playing down worries about the party's finances.
The footage, published by the Sunday Mail, external, is said to be from a virtual meeting of the party's ruling body, recorded in March 2021.
Ms Sturgeon told National Executive Committee (NEC) members the party's finances had never been stronger.
She also warned of the impact on donors of going public with concerns.
SNP says finances are balanced after crisis reports
SNP ruling body orders transparency review
Sturgeon's husband arrested in SNP finance probe
In the two-minute clip Ms Sturgeon said she had been on the NEC continuously for 20 years, including times when the party had been "frankly teetering on the edge of bankruptcy".
She added: "The party has never been in a stronger financial position than it is right now and that's a reflection of our strength and our membership. So, just a bit of context for us all to remember."
Ms Sturgeon, who appears to have been recorded without her knowledge, also issued a direct appeal to those attending the virtual meeting.


She added: "Just be very careful about suggestions that there are problems with the party's finances because we depend on donors to donate.



"There are no reasons for people to be concerned about the party's finances and all of us need to be careful about not suggesting that there is."
The ex-SNP leader also urged members not to leak any details from the meeting because that would limit "the ability for open, free and frank discussion".
The SNP NEC meeting held on 20 March 2021 took place against a backdrop of growing internal dissent about transparency.
According to the Sunday Mail, three senior officials - Edinburgh Lord Provost Frank Ross, Allison Graham and Cynthia Guthrie - had just revealed to the NEC their intention to resign from the party's finance and audit committee after being denied sight of the accounts.
In May that year, two NEC members - SNP national treasurer Douglas Chapman and MP Joanna Cherry - resigned from the ruling body, citing concerns about transparency.

But the resignations still don't make Nicola Sturgeon guilty. She was probably relying on the word of her husband that the accounts were in order. Were there not auditors besides Joanna Cherry et al whose professional job it was to sign off the accounts?

[Steve_uk]

Concerns was raised about finances for years, when enough people start asking questions you expect it to generate curiosity, especially when a brand new jaguar rolls up and (disputed if she knew) a 24’ motorhome appears at the ma in laws and been sitting there for two years?

She asked her husband about the motorhome and Murrell said it was for SNP business during Covid lockdown, as hotels weren't available for that purpose.

[Hardy Boy]

But the resignations still don't make Nicola Sturgeon guilty. She was probably relying on the word of her husband that the accounts were in order. Were there not auditors besides Joanna Cherry et al whose professional job it was to sign off the accounts?

Guilt and curiosity are two separate things Steve, Joanna is not saying she’s guilty,  she was concerned that questions was being raised about finances, and those asking the questions wasn’t getting a warm reception, if she’s relying on her husbands word, I don’t believe that Steve, she was known for micro management.

[Hardy Boy]

She asked her husband about the motorhome and Murrell said it was for SNP business during Covid lockdown, as hotels weren't available for that purpose.

Oh right, have you got a link Steve for that

[Steve_uk]

Oh right, have you got a link Steve for that

It's broached at the 19:15 point: https://youtu.be/kPyYC8THiNo

[Hardy Boy]

It's broached at the 19:15 point: https://youtu.be/kPyYC8THiNo

October 2020 - Pro-independence blogger Stuart Campbell, the man behind the Wings Over Scotland political website, highlights that according to the SNP's 2019 accounts it only has £97,000 in its bank account and total net assets of £272,000.
Campbell claims that "supposedly ring-fenced" money from the two indyref crowdfunding campaigns has "vanished into the maw of the party machine".
The article "You've Been Robbed" invites donors who are "concerned about this state of affairs" to ask the SNP what has happened to their donations.
March 2021 - Three SNP officials - Edinburgh Lord Provost Frank Ross, Allison Graham and Cynthia Guthrie - resign from the party's finance and audit committee after being denied sight of the accounts.
A statement from them is read out at an SNP NEC meeting, the party's ruling body. While not made public, it is believed to complain about a lack of transparency in the party finances. Guthrie later joins the newly-launched Alba party led by Alex Salmond.
A video, which emerged in 2023, apparently shows Sturgeon telling this NEC meeting that the party's finances have never been stronger, and warning of the impact on future donations if anyone goes public with their concerns.
A few days later Police Scotland receives its first complaint, widely reported to be from pro-independence activist Sean Clerkin, about the SNP's finances. Several other complaints are subsequently said to have been submitted.

[Steve_uk]

October 2020 - Pro-independence blogger Stuart Campbell, the man behind the Wings Over Scotland political website, highlights that according to the SNP's 2019 accounts it only has £97,000 in its bank account and total net assets of £272,000.
Campbell claims that "supposedly ring-fenced" money from the two indyref crowdfunding campaigns has "vanished into the maw of the party machine".
The article "You've Been Robbed" invites donors who are "concerned about this state of affairs" to ask the SNP what has happened to their donations.
March 2021 - Three SNP officials - Edinburgh Lord Provost Frank Ross, Allison Graham and Cynthia Guthrie - resign from the party's finance and audit committee after being denied sight of the accounts.
A statement from them is read out at an SNP NEC meeting, the party's ruling body. While not made public, it is believed to complain about a lack of transparency in the party finances. Guthrie later joins the newly-launched Alba party led by Alex Salmond.
A video, which emerged in 2023, apparently shows Sturgeon telling this NEC meeting that the party's finances have never been stronger, and warning of the impact on future donations if anyone goes public with their concerns.
A few days later Police Scotland receives its first complaint, widely reported to be from pro-independence activist Sean Clerkin, about the SNP's finances. Several other complaints are subsequently said to have been submitted.

Well, maybe she was duped by her husband. It was for the auditors and the national treasurer to do the job they were professionally paid for, namely to sign off the accounts, rather than rely on the say-so of someone who may just have repeated something she was told by her then husband.

[Hardy Boy]

Well, maybe she was duped by her husband. It was for the auditors and the national treasurer to do the job they were professionally paid for, namely to sign off the accounts, rather than rely on the say-so of someone who may just have repeated something she was told by her then husband.

A woman trusted to run the Scottish Parliament, didn’t know her husband was a crook 😂😂. She turns the waterworks on and “oh she gave a good account of herself” Three members of the Audit finance committee quit because they were denied access to the accounts.  The motorhome Steve…. Sturgeon continued: ‘My mother and father-in-law’s house has a driveway in front of their house where we parked the car, then we’d go into the house.
‘Where the motorhome was, was round the side of the house which is not immediately visible in the way we went into the house, and it’s between their house and the next-door neighbour’s house.
‘I genuinely, genuinely don’t have any conscious memory of seeing that motorhome – if I saw it, I probably would have assumed it was a neighbour’s.’

So she never seen it and the mother in law and father in law never mentioned it, she couldn’t lie straight in bed this woman!   She also forgot to add, the driveway that the motorhome was parked on, is next to a window.

[ngb1066]

A woman trusted to run the Scottish Parliament, didn’t know her husband was a crook 😂😂. She turns the waterworks on and “oh she gave a good account of herself” Three members of the Audit finance committee quit because they were denied access to the accounts.  The motorhome Steve…. Sturgeon continued: ‘My mother and father-in-law’s house has a driveway in front of their house where we parked the car, then we’d go into the house.
‘Where the motorhome was, was round the side of the house which is not immediately visible in the way we went into the house, and it’s between their house and the next-door neighbour’s house.
‘I genuinely, genuinely don’t have any conscious memory of seeing that motorhome – if I saw it, I probably would have assumed it was a neighbour’s.’

So she never seen it and the mother in law and father in law never mentioned it, she couldn’t lie straight in bed this woman!   She also forgot to add, the driveway that the motorhome was parked on, is next to a window.

I agree with everything you have said about this HB.