SNP treasurer Colin Beattie arrested in probe into party finances

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SNP leader Humza Yousaf said he "does not believe" the party is operating criminally after a police investigation into its finances broke down deepened with the arrest of its treasurer hours before a major political statement.

Colin Beattie, Member of the Scottish Parliament, was arrested by Scottish police for questioning on Tuesday, the latest development in the saga engulfing the ruling party in Scotland.

This follows the arrest two weeks ago of Managing Director Peter Murrell - the husband of Nicola Sturgeon - who has been released without charge pending further investigation.

Detectives are investigating £660,000 raised specifically for Scottish independence campaigning amid allegations that money was misappropriated, prompting the exit of high-profile figures. It happened as:

The Tories said the SNP was in 'total collapse'Mr. Yousaf announced an escalation on a key green policy A defeated leadership candidate expressed 'sympathy' with calls for a new race

Mr. Beattie, 71, is a longtime SNP treasurer and has been MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh since 2011, serving on the parliament's audit committee. He is a former banker.

Mr, who last month won a leadership race to replace Ms Sturgeon as leader and First Minister of Scotland, is facing calls to suspend her and others under investigation.

< p>A reporter asked Mr. Yousaf: 'Can you guarantee that the party is not operating criminally in this time since you've been the leader?"

He replied, "I certainly don't believe it is at all, no", adding that he had ordered "a review of transparency and good governance" and that a change is needed "in the way the party operates".

He said he wanted to discuss "relevant issues" with Mr Beattie, who was released yesterday evening without charge pending further investigation, and said: 'People are innocent until proven guilty.'

The Prime Minister added: 'Of course, if they are guilty, I will take the appropriate action, whether it is a suspension or going further. But it's really important that due process is followed.

The answer came when Mr Yousaf announced a significant cut by delaying the introduction of the controversial bottle deposit scheme until March 2024.

Scottish Labor leader Anas Sarwar said Mr Yousaf was 'not leading a functioning government', while Meghan Gallacher, deputy leader of the Scottish Conservatives, said the SNP was in 'total collapse'.