THE SNP accidentally revealed part of Nicola Sturgeon’s bank account details as they published her tax returns.
The eight documents showed the First Minister had only received her salary as head of the Scottish Government and as an MSP since she took over from Alex Salmond in 2014/15.
The FM released the documents with a challenge to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to do the same, and later Scottish party leaders Douglas Ross and Anas Sarwar, at 10.30am on Monday morning.
READ MORE: Gorbals Boys bronze sculptures 'stolen' from Glasgow street
However, less than an hour after the tax returns were made available on the SNP website, the page showed a 404 error.
After numerous journalists flagged the mistake to the press office, the webpage was quickly deleted before 11.30am on Monday, when the FM held a press conference in St Andrew’s House, Edinburgh.
The FM’s Bank of Scotland bank account number was visible on one of the eight documents, despite being redacted on the rest.
Sturgeon previously committed to releasing the information at a press conference in Edinburgh, where she told journalists: “Don’t go getting all excited about what’s in my tax returns, you are going to be disappointed on that.”
The SNP said the documents showed the FM only has one source of income - her salary as First Minister, and that she only receives this at the 2008/09 value.
“This means she donates around 20 per cent of her salary entitlement back to the public purse,” the party added.
The FM told a press conference on Monday that she had published the documents in a bid at “transparency” and urged Sunak, Ross and Sarwar to publish their financial information as well.
READ MORE: 'Just a tad' of attention seeking in Truss comeback, says Sturgeon
She said: “I understand Rishi Sunak has said previously that he will publish his tax returns. I would anticipate and expect that he would do that. In terms of Douglas Ross and Anas Sarwar - yes, I think they should publish the tax returns as well.
“The reason I'm doing this today is I made a commitment to do it. Many of you asked me about it last time I stood here and I think it does help with transparency.
“And I think other party leaders in the Scottish Parliament and indeed in Westminster should follow suit.”
The webpage was back up and running by Monday afternoon after corrections were made.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel