SNP Westminster group file audited accounts on time for £1.2m funds

First Minister Humza Yousaf previously said he was 'confident' the party's auditor would meet the deadline.

SNP Westminster group file audited accounts on time for £1.2m funds Scottish Parliament

The SNP Westminster group has filed its audited accounts ahead of the deadline to receive £1.2m short money.

The party risked losing the funds if newly appointed auditors were unable to meet to deadline by midnight on Wednesday.

The funds cover spending on behalf of the party’s MPs.

It comes after the previous auditors quit last September – but it was only made public last month.

SNP bosses were initially unable to a find a replacement before Manchester-based firm AMS Accounting agreed to take on the job.

First Minister Humza Yousaf said he only found out that auditors had left after being elected to replace Nicola Sturgeon as leader.

Westminster group leader Stephen Flynn said he learned in February that the previous accountants had quit.

Commenting, the SNP group treasurer, Peter Grant MP, said: “I’m pleased to confirm that the annual return for the SNP Westminster Group’s ‘short money’ for 2022/23 has received a clean audit certificate and has been submitted, on time, to the parliamentary authorities.

“Throughout this process, SNP MPs have remained focused on standing up for Scotland and supporting our hard-working staff.

“We will continue to hold the Tories and pro-Brexit Labour to account for the damage their policies are inflicting on Scotland.”

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