In advance of his planned landmark policy speech in parliament, Mr Yousaf, who is seen as close to Ms Sturgeon and her husband, said he could not comment on a live police investigation, which could trigger contempt proceedings under Scottish laws.
He said he would “consider” whether to remove Mr Beattie from his position on Scotland’s public audit commission and would meet him to discuss this upon Mr Beattie’s release. Mr Yousaf, who was elected as leader to replace Ms Sturgeon last month on a promise to provide “continuity”, conceded that “change is needed in how the party operates”. He denied it is being run in a “criminal manner”.
The ramifications of the arrest dominated proceedings in Scotland’s devolved parliament on Tuesday afternoon, following a speech by Mr Yousaf in which he promised to “reset” his party’s relationship with the business community. He did not give a substantive reply to a question from Meghan Gallacher, the deputy leader of the Scottish conservatives, when she asked if Mr Murrell was still owed cash by the SNP, a reference to a £107,000 loan that he gave the party and which emerged after the police investigation was launched.
Anas Sarwar, the Scottish Labour leader, accused the SNP of being a party “mired in scandal and division, talking to themselves about themselves”. Mr Yousaf defended the party’s record in government.
So surprised that a country with a one party political system led by a delusional whacko would turn out to be corrupt! 😲
Didn't realise the treasurer was Nicola Sturgeon.
Lol so the SNP are as slippery as all the other party's does the SNP stand for now SNEAKY NICKING POLITICIANS