SNP Stamps Misuse Sparks Scottish Investigation

John Swinney, the Scottish First Minister, is embroiled in a controversy over alleged misuse of taxpayer-funded stamps for SNP election campaigning purposes, with leaked WhatsApp messages revealing discussions about the 'stamp fairy' assisting in campaigns. While Swinney claims he received assurances that public money was not misused, an inquiry has been launched by Scottish parliamentary authorities to investigate the matter. The SNP is under scrutiny for potentially using parliamentary allowances, up to £5,500 per year, designated for parliamentary duties, inappropriately for party political purposes, leading to concerns about financial transparency and adherence to rules. The investigation involves multiple SNP staffers and office managers, with calls for a thorough probe by opposition parties and parliamentary watchdogs to ensure accountability and uphold standards of transparency in handling public funds.