Police probe Yes Scotland campaign's 'missing £1.5m' claim

Police are making inquiries after a complaint was made about the finances of Yes Scotland, the group which campaigned for independence in the 2014 referendum.

The Sunday Mail, external has reported on claims that income of more than £1.5m was unaccounted for.

The newspaper said the complaint was made by David Henry, who was one of those whose concerns about the SNP's finances led to the Operation Branchform investigation and the eventual conviction of former chief executive Peter Murrell.

Yes Scotland Ltd, a company which was set up by former SNP leader and First Minister Alex Salmond to campaign for independence ahead of the referendum, has not been active since 2014.

Its latest set of dormant accounts were published last year, showing a zero balance.

The SNP has said Yes Scotland Ltd was an "entirely separate organisation" from the party.

Henry told the Sunday Mail that the campaign company's accounts from 2016 onward showed a zero balance and £1.5m which was recorded earlier appeared to have "just gone".

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "We have received a complaint and inquiries are ongoing."

It comes after former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell was jailed for more than five years after he admitted embezzling more than £400,000 from the party over five years.

Police Scotland and the Crown Office investigated Murrell's actions in Operation Branchform.

Scottish Labour's deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie said: "These are incredibly serious allegations and it is right that they are considered by the police.

"There are still far too many unanswered questions surrounding Peter Murrell's fraudulent activities and the secrecy of the SNP.

"John Swinney and the SNP need to stop running scared and come clean about these allegations and back a full financial audit of the accounts."

Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said: "Peter Murrell's crimes were enabled by the SNP's toxic culture of control and aggressive aversion to basic levels of scrutiny.

"But John Swinney's determination to shut down an independent inquiry shows that they haven't learned any lessons.

"That's why an inquiry is critical and why these latest allegations should be fully investigated by the police."

An SNP spokesperson said: "The criminal actions of Peter Murrell were uncovered by a complex and extensive police investigation which found the SNP was the victim of embezzlement."