SNP will miss out on £1.2m if it fails to file accounts, Westminster chief warns

Mr Gardner urged others to act while they still can, warning that he ‘might be on the last train out the station’

Former SNP member James Gardner was ‘shocked’ with the direction of the party and asked for a refund of his donations (PA)

SNP’s Westminster group will miss out on £1.2m of funding if it does not file accounts next month, leader Stephen Flynn has warned.

Its 45 MPs make the SNP Parliament’s third biggest party, entitling it to financial assistance called Short Money.

But Mr Flynn, who heads the Westminster group, said it is struggling to find auditors - raising fears it could miss the May 31 deadline to file accounts.

He told Good Morning Scotland the SNP is “doing everything possible” to meet the deadline, but finding auditors had proved harder than expected.

Mr Flynn said he only became aware of the SNP Westminster group’s lack of auditors in February, having been leader since December when Ian Blackford quit.

He said: “I thought it would be a relatively straightforward process to go and secure new auditors. That’s obviously proven not to be the case

“We need to have our accounts for short money in place by May 31, I believe.

“So every effort that can be made to ensure that happens is being made and of course we’re in contact with the House of Commons authorities meantime in relation to it.”

Mr Flynn blamed the difficulties on the financial year being nearly over and overall challenges with the party’s finances.

The warning came as disgruntled SNP donors were urged to claim refunds from the party while they still can after one recovered almost £500 in Indyref2 donations.

Former SNP member James Gardner was “shocked” with the direction of the party and asked fundraiser Jim Henderson for a refund in March. He was unhappy with the treatment of former leader Alex Salmond and its efforts to secure Scottish independence.

The 72-year-old did not offer a receipt to support his claim, but last week £480 was deposited into his account.

Mr Gardner told Scottish newspaper The Herald he was “glad” he sought the refund and urged others to act while they still can. He raised fears a wave of donors asking for their money back could devastate the party’s finances.

Humza Yousaf, who succeeded Nicola Sturgeon as SNP leader last month, has denied the party is “facing bankruptcy” and insisted it is on a “steady footing” financially.

But the party’s treasurer Colin Beattie quit last week a day after being arrested and questioned by police amid a probe into the SNP’s finances. He was replaced by MP Stuart McDonald.

Mr Beattie’s arrest and resignation followed the arrest two weeks ago of Ms Sturgeon’s husband and former SNP chief executive Mr Murrell, who was released without charge pending further inquiries.

Police Scotland is currently investigating the matter of £660,000 that was raised by the SNP for Scottish independence campaigning, following allegations of donations fraud. The party still owes money to Mr Murrell, who loaned the SNP £100,000 in 2021, Mr Yousaf confirmed last week.

Mr Gardner said: “I might be on the last train out the station.”

He added: “If folk just threw in a tenner, they might be willing to write it off.

“But for folk like me who gave a monthly sub, the tenners add up, so it’s worth going after it.

“If they’re not even going to try for independence, then they’ve basically tricked you.”

An SNP spokesman said: “As the case for Scottish independence becomes more compelling than ever, the SNP is the only party that will ensure Scotland’s priorities are put first, protect Scottish democracy and get rid of the Tories for good.”