The SNP has confirmed the appointment of Carol Beattie as the party’s permanent chief executive despite sharing comments about beheading the royal family.

She has held the appointment on an interim basis since Murray Foote resigned last October. She had been chief executive of Stirling Council since 2019.

Soon after taking up the SNP role she was forced to apologise after sharing a social media post by another user saying it was “time for the French solution to the monarchy”.

After stepping down from Stirling council last year, she shared a video of a man saying “get Westminster to f***”.

Ms Beattie was beaten by Labour after contesting a local by-election seat for the SNP.

She now takes on the role of steering the party into next year’s elections. The resignation of former Daily Record editor Murray Foote came after the SNP suffered huge losses at the general election with the party seeing its 48 MPs reduced to just nine.

He took over from Peter Murrell, the now separate husband of former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. He stepped down amid the police investigation into the party’s finances.

Business Convener Angela Constance said the appointment of Ms Beattie follows a competitive recruitment process.

“John Swinney committed to ensuring a professional, modern, dynamic election-winning organisation – and Carol’s appointment is a critical part in delivering on that commitment,” said Ms Constance.

“The SNP remains the political party for all of Scotland – and Carol Beattie’s appointment will ensure we remain equipped for the 2026 election campaign and the journey to Scotland’s independence.”

Ms Beattie said the appointment was a “huge honour”, adding: “I look forward to continuing my work with the SNP HQ team, ensuring the organisation is fighting fit for the 2026 election and beyond.

“Following recent reform, the party’s headquarters functions are in robust shape and I look forward to supporting the party as a formidable national organisation.”