NEW: After sustained pressure the SNP reveal 72,186 members are voting in the leadership contest.

It means the party has lost approx 30,000 members since 2021.

NEW: SNP HQ issue fresh statement defending integrity of leadership process but again refuses to reveal number of voting members.

Sky News understands the 3 candidates have been written to offering meeting to discuss rules. Unclear if they’ll be given the figures they requested.

NEW: Kate Forbes campaign issues explosive statement calling for SNP HQ to appoint independent auditors to oversee the leadership voting process & final result.

It comes amid claims the race to replace Sturgeon is mired in secrecy.

SNP chiefs to hold emergency meeting on Thurs

Sky News understands the national executive committee of the SNP will meet tomorrow morning amid a growing transparency row.

It’s likely talks could lead to membership figures being released.

Comes an hour after SNP said responsibility for election doesn’t “rest with staff”.

💥UPDATE: Ash Regan’s team threaten to raise the stakes if SNP HQ fails to provide clarity by tomorrow.

“If we do not receive a satisfactory response addressing our legitimate request…by 3pm 16/03, Ash Regan will hold a press conference outside Parl to address matter further.”

NEW: SNP headquarters issue statement refusing to issue the number of members voting in the leadership contest.

It comes after all three contenders demanded transparency on the matter.

Party chiefs hint they’ll issue figures AFTER race to replace Sturgeon is over. Sky News

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scottish National Party leadership debate: John Swinney's backing of Humza Yousaf

Connor Gillies asks Michelle Thomson and Neil Gray MSP if they think that SNP HQ is 'rigging' the contest

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📺Sky 501

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scottish National Party leadership debate: instant reactions

Sky's Connor Gillies asks Professor Nicola McEwan, Neil Gray MSP, Michelle Thomson and Cllr. Bailey-Lee Robb what their immediate responses are to the debate

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📺Sky 501

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Sky's Connor Gillies shares what to expect in tonight's Scottish National Party leadership debate, where the candidates will face questions from Sky News' political editor Beth Rigby

🕖 Tonight at 7pm
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📺 Sky 501, Freeview 233

Join us live now Sky News

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Sky's Connor Gillies talks through the YouGov survey for Sky News on support for Scottish independence, ahead of tonight's leadership debate

🕖 Tonight at 7pm
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📺 Sky 501, Freeview 233 and YouTube

46% support for independence when undecided voters are included.

Humza Yousaf, Kate Forbes and Ash Regan have been accused of 'trashing' their own party in a series of TV debates.

On the Sky News #Daily , Niall Paterson is joined by Sky's Connor Gillies
to take a closer look at the SNP candidates.

🎧 Listen here 👉 podfollow.com/skynewsdaily

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 All three candidates hoping to be the next leader of the Scottish National Party will face questions from Sky News' political editor Beth Rigby during a special show live from Edinburgh.

🕖 Monday 13 March at 7pm
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📺 Sky 501, Freeview 233 and YouTube

Next as the race hots up…

Join us Sky News live with Beth Rigby. Monday 8pm.