A former SNP treasurer has been accused of "dodging" Scottish taxes by building his property portfolio in England. Colin Beattie, who was the SNP's national treasurer for 16 years until 2020, bought six rental properties in northern England through a company he owns with his wife between 2018 and 2023. The portfolio, which includes homes outside of Scotland, has saved the 73-year-old up to £10,000 in property purchase taxes, The Sunday Post reports.

While there is no suggestion that Mr Beattie broke any laws by buying properties across the border through his business, Ben Sheann Enterprises, First Minister John Swinney has said it is "morally wrong" for Scots to dodge paying higher taxes imposed by his Government. A hike of Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT), Scotland's version of stamp duty, made it the most expensive part of the UK to own property last year, a measure that was backed by Mr Beattie, who is MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh.

The SNP also raised the additional dwelling supplement (ADS) surcharge on purchases of second and rental homes to 8% in its 2025/26 budget, hiking it above the 5% charge that was enforced in England on April 1.

The purchase of properties including a Sheffield flat for £85,950 and a semi-detached house in Merseyside for £102,000 is thought to have saved the MSP £464 in LBTT and around £9,142 in ADS, compared to buying similar homes in Scotland.

It comes after police confirmed that they had ended an investigation into Mr Beattie, alongside former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, as part of an extended inquiry into the SNP's finances.

Ms Sturgeon's husband and former party chancellor Peter Murrell was charged with embezzlement in March.

"Scots will be outraged that an SNP MSP who supported these tax hikes is dodging them by buying properties in England, not Scotland," Conservative Shadow Housing Secretary Meghan Gallacher told the Post.

She also accused senior Nationalist figures of becoming "detached from the harsh reality that Scots are facing".

"While ordinary people are stuck with sky-high taxes, those in charge appear to be exploiting loopholes," Ms Gallacher added.

Mr Beattie and his wife Lisa, 72, reportedly initially bought flats in Edinburgh through their business venture before switching their focus across the border.

An SNP spokesperson said: "Mr Beattie pays his taxes in Scotland."