Former Scots HIV charity chief and SNP aide charged with fraud over finance allegations
02.04.2023 - 04:11
/ dailyrecord.co.uk
A former charity boss has been charged with fraud, the Sunday Mail can reveal.
HIV Scotland’s former chief executive Nathan Sparling, a former aide to ex-SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson, was reported to police over concerns. The charity, which has supported people with HIV for 30 years, announced it was to shut last month.
HIV Scotland received around £400,000 a year, which included Scottish Government cash. Complaints were previously raised with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) about spending on consultancy fees, meeting expenses and salary advances totalling £11,000.
Sparling, who became HIV Scotland CEO in December 2018, stepped down in December 2020 before the fraud allegations came to light. Last night, police confirmed Starling had been charged.
A police spokeswoman said: “In February 2021, we received a report of a possible fraud at a premises in York Place, Edinburgh. Enquiries were carried out and a 32-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with financial offences. A report was sent to the procurator fiscal.”
Sparling previously toured Scotland for comedy gigs dressed as drag queen Nancy Clench.
HIV Scotland’s accounts state: “During the year to March 31, 2021, the former CEO was advanced funds amounts to £11,540 and repayments of £5012 were received leaving a balance due from the CEO of £6298 at the year-end. During the year to March 31, 2021, the former CEO resigned.”
In April 2021, HIV Scotland undertook an independent governance review following concerns about overspending. Five board members also stepped down after new chief executive Alastair Hudson replaced Sparling in January, while six out of seven staff resigned or were made redundant.
The charity was