Humza Yousaf reveals SNP has still not paid back full loan to former chief executive Peter Murrell

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Humza Yousaf has revealed the SNP has still not paid back the full amount of a loan from Peter Murrell, its former chief executive.The First Minister faced journalists at the Scottish Parliament today amid an on-going police investigation into the party's finances.Colin Beattie, the party's treasurer, was arrested on Tuesday in connection to Operation Branchform but was later released without charge pending further investigation.Murrell, the husband of Nicola Sturgeon, was arrested two weeks ago and his house searched before he was also released without charge.It was previously revealed he made a personal loan of more than £100,000 to the SNP to help it out with a "cash flow" issue after the last election.Murrell, the SNP chief executive at the time, loaned the party £107,620 in June 2021.

The party had repaid about half of the money by October of that year.Facing reporters today, Yousaf said: "We are definitely not facing bankruptcy, I'm pleased to say we are on a steady footing when it comes to the party's finances."I don't think parliament is the place to do a statement on the party's finances, but I have of course instructed a governance and transparency review, and what that report comes in and I'll make that public."Asked about money still owed to its former chief executive, the First Minister added: "I think there is money still absolutely outstanding to Peter Murrell in terms of the repayment of the loan."Asked how much was still owed, Yousaf continued: "It's important that I lay that out after the governance and transparency review."I don't think I need to give a running commentary on the SNP's finances, line by line."Beattie, who served more than 20 years in two spells as SNP treasurer, resigned yesterday.Until