Former SNP party treasurer Colin Beattie was 'paranoid' about leaks
Former SNP treasurer Colin Beattie handed out numbered copies of the party’s accounts and refused to allow officials to take them away for scrutiny, senior sources have claimed.The MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, who was responsible for the Nats finances for more than 16 years, is said to have ‘deferred to’ fraudster Peter Murrell whenever members of the SNP’s national executive committee (NEC) had questions about spending.Several former NEC members spoke to the MoS out of frustration at the lack of scrutiny of Mr Beattie, who was the party’s treasurer from 2004 until 2020, and again between 2021 and 2023.One senior SNP member said while there was no suggestion Beattie knew of Murrell’s crimes, his ‘obsession with preventing leaks combined with a lack of detailed knowledge about the party’s financial situation created the perfect opportunity for Peter’.They said: ‘Colin handed out numbered copies of the accounts at NEC meetings, and wouldn’t allow anyone to take them away. 'He was so paranoid about leaks that he numbered every copy and made sure to collect them in again. 'We were able to ask questions but only during the meetings, and we didn’t have a lot of time.‘When he got questions, which happened a lot, he would just defer to Peter. He rarely answered anything himself. He would just agree with whatever Peter said.’ Colin Beattie is said to have handed out numbered copies of the SNP accounts at NEC meetingsAnother former NEC member said Beattie ‘spent years saying he was the legally responsible one if anything ever went wrong’.A third member said they also heard Beattie’s reassurances about being liable for any problems and said: ‘I think he wanted to appear important but without knowing how to do the job, or without being allowed to do it. 'He hasn’t really explained his side of how this all happened, what’s his take on it, or even said he’s sorry for allowing this to happen under his watch as the party treasurer.’During a BBC interview last weekend, Murrell’s estranged wife Ms Sturgeon said she had been unaware of massive fluctuations in the party’s accounts during the time of Murrell’s thievery, including that tens of thousands of pounds spent on a luxury campervan, as the ‘national treasurer didn’t draw it to my attention’.The former First Minister, who we revealed has now quit Scotland to set up home in London, said it was the treasurer’s responsibility to present the accounts to the NEC and ‘draw our attention to any items he thought we should pay particular attention to.She added: ‘People in the NEC would ask questions’.Another former NEC member said: ‘What Nicola said is technically true – but it’s not how it actually worked. Any questions were fielded by Peter, and we barely had any chance to scrutinise the accounts.’Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said: ‘This just demonstrates that the culture of secrecy and cover-up that was at the very top of the party trickled right down to branch level.‘It is clear that right through the SNP, there is a toxic culture which has sought to silence anyone who spoke out about concerns.‘Public trust has been wrecked by this scandal.‘If they care at all about transparency, Colin Beattie and the SNP would agree to an inquiry so these important issues can be examined.’Scottish Conservatives deputy leader Rachael Hamilton said: ‘Colin Beattie cannot escape his role in this epic SNP scandal. 'He was clearly happy to dance to Murrell’s tune all the while the disgraced former Chief Executive was busy embezzling hundreds of thousands of party funds.‘Beattie’s paranoid behaviour is further damning evidence that those in senior roles within the SNP at this time were determined to do everything they could to avoid potential tough and harmful questions.‘He still has the privilege of being an MSP and should come clean as to why he completely failed to spot Murrell’s thefts.'Beattie resigned as SNP treasurer in 2023 following his arrest as part of Operation Branchform, with Police Scotland later saying he and former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon would face no further action while Murrell was arrested and charged, and earlier this month pleaded guilty to embezzling £400,000 from the SNP.At Holyrood Mr Beattie read a scripted statement to waiting press following Murrell’s guilty plea last month and dodged follow-up questions about his role in the affair.Mr Beattie has refused to answer questions about the SNP fraud scandal, offering a ‘no comment’ response to police when he was interviewed as part of the Operation Branchform probe. It has also been reported that he refused to provide a witness statement to assist police in the prosecution of Murrell. Nicola Sturgeon also gave a no comment interview and refused to provide a witness statement to help prosecutors.Colin Beattie has been approached for comment.
