Holyrood 'SNP gravy bus' candidate steps down amid benefit probe

The Scotsman revealed on Wednesday how Sally Donald is being investigated by Social Security Scotland over the wrongful claiming of Adult Disability Payment (ADP).

Now the 32-year-old has said she is “regrettably” stepping away from the Holyrood campaign.

READ MORE: SNP candidate Sally Donald is being investigated for benefit fraud

In a post on social media Ms Donald, the candidate for Edinburgh Southern, said: “I have always, and will always, be committed to creating a better Scotland for everyone.

“However, due to the pressure I have experienced as a candidate, I have regrettably come to the decision to no longer stand in the elections in May.

"While I strenuously deny any and all wrongdoing, I do not want recent reporting to distract any further from the excellent campaign being run in Edinburgh Southern.

“I would like to thank everyone in my campaign team, all the local members who have supported me, my friends and family - and I wish the team and new candidate all the best for May 7.”

READ MORE: Female SNP MSP’s office ‘bugged’ by male staffer still involved in the party

A spokeswoman for the SNP said: “Sally Donald has informed local members of her decision to no longer stand as a candidate.”

In an infamous incident in 2022, Ms Donald posted a picture on social media of herself with Nicola Sturgeon’s battlebus and the words “All aboard the gravy bus".

Ms Donald, a political staffer who has worked for multiple SNP MPs, is believed to have been in receipt of the payment for several years.

She currently works for SNP Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey MP Graham Leadbitter and First Minister John Swinney was guest of honour at her candidate adoption event last month.

She has previously spoken publicly about living with autism and severe anxiety.

ADP can be worth up to £10,000 a year tax-free and is designed to support people who need help with everyday tasks such as eating, washing, managing toilet needs or engaging socially with other people in person.

Scottish Conservative shadow social security secretary Alexander Stewart said it was “right” that Ms Donald stepped down, adding that her position was “clearly untenable”.

Mr Stewart said: “But the case has highlighted a much wider and more important issue – that the SNP’s welfare system isn’t fit for purpose.

READ MORE: ‘Open to abuse’ - concerns as fewer that 1% of disability claims are checked by specialist staff

“Scots who are being forced to pay more in tax to fund the Nationalists’ ballooning benefits bill will be asking why someone who was vigorously campaigning to become an MSP is reportedly receiving benefits due to having anxiety.”

The Tory said his party is clear that people with mental health conditions that are “not serious” should not be able to claim disability benefits.

“We have set out a plan that would stop such claims and end the culture that allows people to stay on benefits by ticking a box,” he said.

“It’s astonishing that none of the other parties – including Reform – will admit that there is a problem with the benefits system in Scotland.”

Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said Ms Donald was correct to stand down.

“However”, she added, “Serious questions still remain unanswered.”

Calling for benefits secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville to explain when she became aware of the investigation into Ms Donald, Ms Baillie said: “Ms Donald was selected by the SNP as a candidate in March 2025, and yet we are still in the dark about what SNP bosses knew and when about the benefits fraud investigation, and the allegations made against her.

“It is imperative that taxpayers’ money is respected, and yet the SNP has a track record of showing absolutely scant regard for public cash.

“This includes by Ms Donald, who once described an SNP election battle-bus as a ‘gravy bus’.

“Further, the SNP should set out why they felt it was appropriate to allow someone alleged to have defrauded Social Security Scotland to stand as a candidate.”