SNP treasurer Colin Beattie arrested in party finance probe

ITV News Scotland correspondent Peter Smith reports

SNP treasurer Colin Beattie has been arrested in connection with a police investigation into the party’s finances.

Police Scotland said the 71-year-old has been taken into custody and is being questioned by detectives.

The arrest of Mr Beattie, who also serves as an MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, is the second in relation to an investigation into how more than £600,000 in donations to the party earmarked for an independence referendum had been used.

Earlier this month, former party chief executive Peter Murrell was arrested and questioned for more than 11 hours before being released without charge “pending further investigation.”

Mr Murrell is the husband of former first minister Nicola Sturgeon. Police Scotland said a report will be submitted to the Crown Office.

Speaking to MSPs on Tuesday in the Scottish Parliament, new first minister Humza Yousaf had to defend the party against claims it is "mired in scandal" and "division".

Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar, said Mr Yousaf cannot escape the fact that "he is not now running a functioning government", just hours after it was confirmed the SNP treasurer had been arrested.

Outlining his priorities in Holyrood, Mr Yousaf was subjected to attacks from MSPs on the state of the Scottish National Party, which he repeatedly fought against.

But he also admitted being first minister "is not without its challenges".

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