THE firm that audits the SNP resigned six months ago and Humza Yousaf did not know until he became the party’s leader in March, it has emerged.

Last week, it was revealed that accountants Johnston Carmichael quit after reviewing its client portfolio and existing resources and commitments.

The revelation came as the party’s former chief executive – and Nicola Sturgeon’s husband – Peter Murrell was arrested by Police Scotland before being released without charge.

But on Tuesday, the new First Minster said the auditors had quit last year, something Yousaf did not know until he won the SNP leadership contest on March 27.

“They resigned last year,” he told journalists at an event in Leith. “I think it was in and about October last year.

“But the fact that we don’t have auditors in place is one of the major priorities.

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