SNP finance boss Douglas Chapman quits over 'lack of information'

An MP in charge of the SNP's finances has quit - claiming he was not given enough information to do the job.

Douglas Chapman, the MP for Dunfermline and West Fife, announced he had resigned as national treasurer of the party on Saturday evening.

Mr Chapman took over in the role last year.

It comes as the deputy first minister denied claims that police were investigating the whereabouts of £600,000 raised by SNP activists.

The SNP's John Swinney told the BBC's Sunday Show that he did not understand what had prompted Douglas Chapman's actions.

When asked if police were investigating the £600,000 of party funds, Mr Swinney responded: "Not to my knowledge, no".

The deputy first minister told the programme: "Obviously our national executive committee (NEC) has responsibility for scrutinising the party's finances and I saw that point was confirmed on social media last night.

"And in addition to that, the accounts of the party are independently audited by external auditors and are submitted to the electoral commission for scrutiny so there's a huge amount of scrutiny of party finances that go on. That happens day and daily within the SNP."

A Police Scotland spokeswoman confirmed there was currently no investigation into the party's finances.

She added that a complaint had been received by police earlier this year, on 25 March, but she said: "The complaint is still being assessed to determine if an investigation is required."

Douglas Chapman took to Twitter on Saturday to criticise a lack of support or information despite a "resounding mandate" to introduce more transparency into the party's finances.

It is understood his decision to stand down is linked to a continuing row about the use of funds ringfenced for a second independence referendum

He wrote: "Despite having a resounding mandate from members to introduce more transparency into the party's finances, I have not received the support or financial information to carry out the fiduciary duties of National Treasurer.

"Regretfully I have resigned with immediate effect."

The Scottish Conservatives' chief whip Stephen Kerr said Mr Chapman's departure "speaks volumes" and that there were "obvious questions the leadership have yet to answer for members and even their own politicians."

Scottish Labour's deputy leader Jackie Baillie said: "Douglas Chapman's extraordinary resignation makes it essential that the SNP are open about the growing number of questions about their finances."