Scottish independence group contacts police over missing donations

Women for Independence says tens of thousands of pounds are unaccounted for

A prominent Scottish pro-independence group has called in police over tens of thousands of pounds in donations that have gone missing.

Women for Independence (WFI) reported discrepancies between donations made to the organisation and its expenditure after concerns were first raised during the summer.

The organisation was founded in 2012 and continued campaigning after playing a leading role in last year’s referendum on Scottish independence.

A statement said: “Women for Independence have, for several weeks now, been examining the finances of the organisation after our senior support staff raised concerns in late summer.

READ MORE

“We have identified an apparent discrepancy between our income (via donations) and the expenditure which we currently have evidence of.

“Because of the potential seriousness of this issue, the national committee of WFI decided that the right thing to do was to pass this matter to the police.”

The group said the discrepancies occurred between 2014 and its formal constitution as an organisation in March 2015.

It added: “The situation we have referred to the police for further inquiry is serious but we want to stress to our supporters that appropriate, robust and transparent controls are now in place to protect any monies donated to WFI now or in the future.”

A spokeswoman for Police Scotland said: "We can confirm a report has been received and the matter is currently under investigation."

– (PA)