HUMZA Yousaf said the SNP still owe money to Peter Murrell, its former chief executive, who was arrested in a police investigation into the party’s finances.

The First Minister has taken over as interim treasurer of the SNP after the resignation of Colin Beattie, the MSP who was arrested this week in the same ongoing investigation.

Mr Beattie was released without charge after being held for several hours as was Mr Murrell following his arrest earlier this month.

READ MORE: Update: Colin Beattie statement after arrest in SNP investigation

Mr Yousaf said a review of the SNP’s governance would take place and more details will be released once it is complete.

He said: "I think there is money still absolutely outstanding to Peter Murrell."

Mr Murrell, Nicola Sturgeon’s husband, had loaned the party £100,000 which he said was to assist with cash flow.

As the ongoing investigation and arrests continue to engulf the party and overshadow Mr Yousaf’s first weeks in office, he said the SNP are financially on a "steady footing".

He said: “We're definitely not facing bankruptcy, I'm pleased to say we are on a steady footing when it comes to the party's finances.

"I don't think Parliament is the place to do a statement on the party's finances.

"I've, of course, instructed the governance and transparency review and when the report comes in on that review, I'll make that public."

The SNP need to appoint a new treasurer and are seeking to appoint auditors after the last firm quit last year.

READ MORE: Humza Yousaf overseeing SNP finances as treasurer steps down after arrest

Mr Yousaf was speaking to journalists in Holyrood after he had been challenged by Douglas Ross, Conservative leader, at First Minister’s Questions to make a statement on SNP finances.  

Mr Ross asked: "We believe that there are legitimate questions that the Scottish public deserves answers to.

“In the interest of transparency, will Humza Yousaf agree to make a statement to Parliament on the financial scandal that is engulfing the party of Government in Scotland?”

Glasgow Times:

Mr Yousaf said: “I know that there are, of course, some serious issues for the party that I lead, the SNP, to address.

"I am not going to shy away from that.

“That is why in my very first act as SNP leader, attending my very first national executive committee, I am pleased that we got agreement from that committee to our review of transparency and governance.

“There was agreement not only to a transparency and governance review but to one that has external input, particularly on issues of finance oversight.”

He then went on to list policies he has included in his priorities for Government this week, stating he was “focusing relentlessly on the day job”.

Mr Ross said the First Minister “basically refused” to answer the question.

He said: “I simply asked for a statement and for transparency, which I think are needed from the First Minister, because the secrecy must end.”