SNP hunts for new chief exec amid demands for more clarity over party finances

Former Scottish cabinet secretary Alex Neil urged Humza Yousaf to bring in forensic accountants to go through the party’s finances.

The SNP is looking to recruit a new chief executive to take the place of Peter Murrell, who quit the post last month and was later arrested by Police Scotland, before being released without charge (Andy Buchanan/PA)

The SNP is to kickstart its hunt for a new chief executive as one party veteran and former Scottish cabinet secretary is demanding forensic accountants be brought in to scrutinise its finances.

Alex Neil, who served in the top teams of both Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon, insisted it was “absolutely unacceptable” that the SNP’s auditors had quit months ago without members being informed.

He called for more clarity over why Johnston Carmichael had resigned from the role, with his demands coming at the same time as the party began its hunt for a new chief executive.