The recent case of the embezzlement of funds from the SNP raises questions about the financial regulation of political parties, the Electoral Commission’s oversight of the funding and governance of political parties, and the policies, processes and safeguards associated with the distribution of public funding, via Short Money, to political parties at Westminster.
The registration and funding of political parties in Scotland is a reserved matter, and is governed, principally, by the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.
This inquiry will consider the governance arrangements, financial controls, audit and assurance processes, transparency requirements and regulatory oversight of political parties, including those operating in Scotland, and the extent to which these are sufficient to enable the identification, management and reporting of financial and governance risks within political parties.
Please Terms of reference. The Committee is not putting out a call for written evidence for this inquiry.