Colin Beattie quits as SNP treasurer after police questioning in connection to party finance probe

dailyrecord.co.uk:

An MSP has quit as SNP treasurer after he was arrested during a police investigation into party finances.Colin Beattie told First Minister Humza Yousaf he would be “stepping back” from the role as he believed he had become a “distraction”.Police Scotland have been looking into how more than £600,000 in donations to the party earmarked for an independence referendum had been used.The 71-year-old was questioned by detectives on Tuesday and Police Scotland said that evening that he had since been “released without charge pending further investigation”.Beattie, the long-standing SNP treasurer, said in a statement: "This afternoon I informed the party leader that I will be stepping back from my role as SNP National Treasurer with immediate effect.“I have also informed the SNP Chief Whip at Holyrood that I will be stepping back from my role on the Public Audit Committee until the Police investigation has concluded.“On a personal level, this decision has not been easy, but it is the right decision to avoid further distraction to the important work being led by Humza Yousaf to improve the SNP’s governance and transparency.“I will continue to cooperate fully with Police Scotland’s enquiries and it would be inappropriate for me to comment any further on a live case."Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here .

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