First Minister John Swinney has refused to apologise to two former SNP members who claim they were bullied after raising concerns about the party's finances. Cynthia Guthrie and Allison Graham quit the Nationalists' finance and audit committee in 2021 after alleging they were on the receiving end of a hostile backlash driven by a toxic culture in the party, which was then led by Nicola Sturgeon.
Whistleblowers speak out after Murrell jailed
The pair spoke out about their experience after Peter Murrell was this week jailed for embezzling more than £400,000 from the SNP over a 12-year period. They told LBC their experience on the committee was a pantomime, and they were being used as patsies for a cover up. They added: 'This was not master criminal territory… it was like watching a bad magician trying to distract you from things… and too many were going along with it.'
Swinney defends his position
The First Minister, who used a BBC interview in 2021 to insist SNP finances were robust, said today he had already apologised to party members over the scandal. He told reporters at the Scottish Parliament: 'I've apologised to party members who have got a legitimate interest in this - because they are the ones who had money stolen from them. They're the victims.' Pressed on whether his apology included those who have since left the party, the First Minister added: 'The victims in this are SNP members who had money stolen from them by Peter Murrell embezzlement.'
Swinney continued: 'The Parliament has decided there is not going to be an inquiry into these issues. And it's absolutely non-sensical for there to be an inquiry into the victim.'
Tory leader challenges Swinney
Tory leader Russell Findlay had earlier raised the issue of whistleblowers and asked the FM if he would apologise for his essential role in this SNP scandal. Swinney responded: 'I have apologised to members of the SNP for the events that have effected the party's finances and I reiterate them again today.' Findlay hit back: 'As expected, no apology to the whistleblowers. The truth is, Peter Murrell should never have been free to commit these crimes. Members of the SNP finance and audit committee blew the whistle - but they were bullied into quitting after being refused access to basic information. John Swinney twice went on the BBC to say his party's finances were completely sound. He was the heart of the coverup, then and now.'
Whistleblower response
Guthrie later described Swinney's comments as not good enough and described his opposition to an inquiry as unsustainable.
