Why is there controversy around new SNP chief executive?

There is already controversy surrounding the SNP’s appointment of an interim chief executive.

Following the general election result, which saw the party lose 39 MPs, the party has looked to position itself with a view to the future – the 2026 Scottish Parliament and beyond.

It will be an important election for the SNP as they look to hold onto power in the Scottish Government.

But as the party faced backlash for its appointment of Carol Beattie as temporary replacement for former journalist Murray Foote, it suggests they may struggle to put the traumatic few years behind them.

Mr Foote resigned from the job on Friday, stating he could not make the “necessary personal commitment” to the delivery of change needed to get the party there.

It was expected Mr Foote would continue in post until a permanent successor was found. But around 24 hours later, the SNP announced Ms Beattie, a former Stirling Council chief executive, would take over on a temporary basis.

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A full recruitment is set to take place over the coming months, but Ms Beattie already has a wealth of experience in a similar role.

Ms Beattie was in the role from 2019, stepping down in May this year, later being selected as a local candidate in the Falkirk South by-election.

After being narrowly defeated in that council by election by Labour’s Claire Aitken, Ms Beattie was announced as interim chief executive just 24 hours later.

So why is the move controversial if Ms Beattie is highly experienced?

Questions have been raised on the sudden appointment and what would have happened if the SNP did win the Falkirk South by-election – would Mr Foote have stayed in the role until a successor was found?

Former SNP chief executive Murray Foote. (Image: PA) However, the SNP have also received some criticism for the appointment because in September, Ms Beattie – at the time a local candidate – was forced to apologise for negative remarks she made about the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton.

It had emerged she previously responded to an article which described Ms Middleton, who at the time was undergoing cancer treatment, as demonstrating that the “show goes on” in her return to public appearances.

The news article said “lesser mortals would have stayed at home”.

But Ms Beattie responded that “intelligent people don’t support the monarchy”, adding that those who do “use them as symbols of their bigotry or xenophobic values”.

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And upon facing backlash, she said: "I apologise for any offence caused by the language I have used and have removed the tweets."

The controversy wasn’t addressed by the SNP, with party depute Keith Brown stating Ms Beattie would ensure the party continued to be a “dynamic election winning organisation”.

Ms Beattie is clearly a highly experienced chief executive. But her appointment will not have gone to plan for the SNP and it is certainly a setback in their push to reset after the general election.

And as it looks to bounce back from a tough few years, which has saw three leaders in two years, getting a permanent appointment right could be crucial.