Humza Yousaf’s leadership rival Forbes begs SNP members not to leave

Humza Yousaf admits 'challenging' time for SNP

Kate Forbes has pleaded with SNP members not to leave the crisis-hit party. The former leadership hopeful, who narrowly came second to Humza Yousaf, admitted feeling “shock, confusion and hurt” at recent turmoil.

But Ms Forbes has begged members of the nationalist party not to abandon ship and urged those who have already left to rejoin.

The ex-Scottish Finance Secretary, who is now a backbencher, insisted SNP members were needed if the party is to deliver independence.

Writing for The National, Ms Forbes said: “And so my plea to fellow members is this: Stay the course. As gale-force winds batter the ship, this is a call for all hands on deck. If you are a party member thinking of resigning, please don’t.

“If you’re scunnered at what’s unfolding, please stay. If you’ve recently left the party, as 50,000 people reportedly have in recent years, think of re-joining.

“Not because we want to make the SNP great, or to bask in electoral success, or because recent events are irrelevant.

“No, it is because this party’s historic success was secured by ordinary members doing extraordinary things in every part of the country.

“And the most extraordinary thing of them all must be to win independence. To do that, we need you.”

Ms Forbes’s intervention comes as the SNP was plunged into crisis last week with the arrest of Nicola Sturgeon’s husband Peter Murrell as part of a probe into the party’s finances.

The SNP had already been battered by a bruising leadership race which saw continuity candidate Mr Yousaf unveiled the new leader two weeks ago.

Mr Murrell had been SNP’s chief executive for 25 years but quit the job during the contest to succeed Ms Sturgeon following a row over a drop in party membership numbers.

He was questioned by police last Wednesday as part of its investigation into the whereabouts of about £600,000 donated to the party which had been earmarked for Scottish independence campaigning.

Mr Murrell was later released without charge “pending further investigation”, Police Scotland said.

In the latest extraordinary development yesterday, Mr Yousaf revealed the SNP’s auditors quit around six months ago and no replacement has been found, but said he only found out when he became the new leader.

The Scottish First Minister added the SNP was still hoping to have its accounts prepared in time for these to be submitted to watchdogs at the Electoral Commission in July, although he accepted this was “problematic”.

Mike Russell, who has stepped in as interim chief executive in the wake of Mr Murrell’s departure, has said the party faces its biggest crisis in 50 years.

He also admitted that Scottish independence cannot be delivered in the immediate future.

Mr Russell told The Herald: “In my 50-year association with the party this is the biggest and most challenging crisis we’ve ever faced, certainly while we’ve been in government.

“But I have an obligation to this party and the movement for Scottish independence that’s been such a massive part of my life for so long.”

He continued: “I don’t think independence can be secured right now; we need to work towards some coordinated campaigning.

“But I think this is achievable. My main focus is how we can create a new Yes movement that allows for different visions but conducted in an atmosphere of mutual trust.”

Meanwhile, Scottish Tory MSP Stephen Kerr said: “There’s been a lot of competition over the last 10 years- but I can’t recall a political party being embarrassed in such a way as the SNP have since February. What a shambles.”

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