SNP under investigation for alleged misuse of public funds in election campaign
- Investigation launched into SNP staff's use of parliament stamps for election campaign.
- Claims suggest stamps bought with MPs' expenses were used for distributing SNP leaflets.
- Allegations of misusing public money in the election campaign under scrutiny.
An investigation has been launched after a leaked screenshot from a WhatsApp group revealed discussions among staff about the potential misuse of stamps paid for by expenses to distribute SNP leaflets. Members of the Scottish Parliament are allowed to spend £5,500 a year on postage and stationery for parliamentary duties only, not for party political purposes. The leaked screenshot showed conversations from a group called 'Office Manager Chat', with concerns raised about the traceability of the stamps. The SNP is under scrutiny for allegedly using stamps earmarked for parliamentary business in its general election campaign. The party's financial struggles and ongoing police investigation into its finances have added to the controversy. The Scottish Parliament is investigating the matter to determine if there has been any misuse of parliamentary resources. MSPs are required to adhere to strict rules regarding the use of public funds, including postage and stationery, for parliamentary duties exclusively. The SNP Holyrood group emphasized the importance of following parliamentary rules and cooperating with the investigation. The potential misuse of postage stamps bought using MSPs' expenses for campaign activities has raised concerns about compliance with legal limits on campaign spending. The Scottish Parliament is taking the matter seriously and conducting a thorough investigation to ensure the appropriate use of publicly funded resources.