First Minister John Swinney has hit back at claims he was involved in an SNP cover-up of Peter Murrell's crimes, insisting such suggestions are “utterly and totally baseless”. Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay had accused Mr Swinney of being the “king of the SNP cover-up”.
Murrell Jailed for Embezzlement
The issue was raised at Holyrood after former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell – the ex-husband of Nicola Sturgeon – was jailed for five years and three months for embezzling more than £400,000 from the party over a 12-year period. Cynthia Guthrie, a former member of the SNP’s finance and audit committee, alleged Mr Swinney and Ms Sturgeon were “culpable” for what happened because they misled SNP members and the public. Another former committee member, Allison Graham, said they were “bullied” after raising concerns.
Findlay's Accusations
Speaking during First Minister’s Questions at Holyrood on Thursday, Mr Findlay said the two women had spoken out but “Nicola Sturgeon ordered them to be quiet”, while “John Swinney assured them there was no problem” and the Scottish Government’s new victims minister, Kirsten Oswald, had “tried to bully these whistleblowers into silence”. Challenging Mr Swinney, the Tory leader said: “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 to the BBC to say that his party’s finances were completely sound. He was at the heart of the cover-up, then and now, and that is why he is terrified of an inquiry.”
Swinney's Response
Mr Swinney responded: “The comments Russell Findlay makes about me are baseless, utterly and totally baseless.” He repeatedly insisted no further investigation is needed into the circumstances surrounding Murrell’s crimes, saying a lengthy police investigation has already taken place. In a bid to give the Tory “reassurance about the issues which he is concerned”, Mr Swinney said that since taking over as SNP leader he had “addressed the issues in the SNP’s finances, and the SNP has got strong governance in place”.
