SNP police probe ‘not an ideal situation’, says party’s by-election candidate

However, Katy Loudon said the issue is not what people are talking about on the doorstep

The SNP candidate in a crucial by-election has admitted the ongoing police probe into the party’s finances is “not an ideal situation”.

However, Katy Loudon insisted the issue is not what people are talking about on the doorstep.

The by-election in Rutherglen and Hamilton West was triggered after 11,896 voters in the constituency signed a recall petition to oust the former SNP MP Margaret Ferrier, who was suspended from the House of Commons for breaking Covid rules.

The SNP's Katy Loudon. Picture: John Devlin

It will be fiercely contested by the SNP and Labour, with both formally launching their campaigns on Wednesday.

At an event in Rutherglen, Ms Loudon, who is a local councillor, was asked how she responds when people ask about the police investigation on the doorstep.

She said: “It’s not an ideal situation, of course it’s not, and I don’t think there’s any point in saying otherwise. I do have to say, genuinely, when we have been out chapping doors and speaking to people – which I do all the time anyway, in my role as a councillor – that is not what people are talking about just now.

"People are deeply concerned about the cost-of-living crisis. I see that in my case workload that’s coming in, as well as going out and speaking to people. That’s what people are concerned about just now, and that’s going to be our major issue and our drive in this campaign, is looking at how we can support local people.

"And we do that by giving them a clear choice between the policies which [Sir Keir] Starmer’s Labour are offering, and the policies which we’re offering. I’m proud of the record I’m standing on and the actions we’ve taken, not only at a national level to tackle child poverty, but the actions that my group have taken in council as well.”

Police Scotland has been investigating the SNP’s finances since 2021. The probe recently saw the arrest of former first minister Nicola Sturgeon, who was released without charge.

Elsewhere, Michael Shanks, the Scottish Labour candidate, said there are “differences of opinion” between the party in Scotland and Sir Keir over gender reform and the two-child benefit cap. However, he said this demonstrated the “maturity of devolution”.