YOUR front-page article today (Salmond facing #200,000 question) is as full of errors as your story earlier this week regarding Business for Scotland. That story was the subject of a published letter from Jim Mather of Business for Scotland, but as you now stray into SNP territory, let me put on the record the facts as they pertain to the SNP.

The Herald appears to be labouring under a number of misapprehensions about Business for Scotland. First, there is the relationship between Business for Scotland and the SNP. The accounts of Business for Scotland will be published alongside the SNP accounts in September at our Annual Conference.

Far from attempting to evade scrutiny the SNP was in the forefront of moves to establish a voluntary code for disclosure of all national donations over #5000, and was pivotal in securing such an agreement amongst five political parties, which was signed on January 14 this year and which came into effect on that date.

The Scottish Election Commission has indicated in its report that it respected that fact that no retrospective disclosure would be made, a position that was agreed by all parties by signing on to the code of practice and which applies to all parties. The principle of no retrospective disclosure therefore applies to both the SNP and Business for Scotland and I have no intention of breaking it because of interest from

The Herald.

The commission elsewhere in its report notes that ''the arrangement [between the SNP and Business for Scotland] and the way in which donations to the SNP have been presented to the commission are perfectly in order.''

The SNP, Business for Scotland, and all organisations affiliated to or incorporated within the SNP will observe to the letter the Neill Committee recommendations when enacted, and indeed have been observing them from the very date and hour they were agreed by the Election Commission.

The final question then is one for The Herald. If an impartial body such as the Scottish Electoral Commission is satisfied with the way the SNP conducts its financial business then why is The Herald intent on creating such a stushie?

Alex Salmond, MP, MSP,

National Convener,

Scottish National Party,

6 North Charlotte Street, Edinburgh.

July 9.