The conviction of Peter Murrell for embezzling £400,000 from the Scottish National Party (SNP) has been described as the biggest scandal of the devolution era. However, several other major political rows have also emerged over the last 25 years. Here, The Record looks back at five scandals that Scotland has almost forgotten.
Peter Murrell and the SNP Membership Numbers Row
Peter Murrell, former SNP chief executive and husband of Nicola Sturgeon, resigned abruptly in March 2023 amid rumors of a no-confidence motion. This came at the height of a bitter leadership contest following Sturgeon's resignation. The scandal erupted after the Sunday Mail reported a sharp drop in SNP membership numbers, which the party initially denied. It was later confirmed that membership had fallen from 125,000 in 2019 to 72,200 by the time of Sturgeon's resignation. Murray Foote, the party's head of communications, resigned after describing the report as "drivel."
Falkirk Candidate Selection Controversy
Eric Joyce, MP for Falkirk, resigned in 2015 after multiple arrests, including an assault in a House of Commons bar in 2012. His departure sparked a row over the selection of Labour's prospective candidate, with allegations that the local party was being infiltrated by trade union members loyal to Unite. Labour's national executive committee intervened, barring anyone who joined after March 12, 2012, from voting. The scandal led to rule changes preventing unions from paying membership fees for members. Labour's vote share in Falkirk dropped by 20% in the 2015 general election, with the SNP winning all but three Scottish seats.
Taxigate: David McLetchie's Expenses Scandal
David McLetchie resigned as Scottish Conservative leader in October 2005 after it emerged he had claimed £11,500 in taxi fares on parliamentary expenses over five years—more than any other MSP. The details were released under freedom of information legislation following a request by journalist Paul Hutcheon. McLetchie repaid £250 for misclaimed flights but maintained he conducted parliamentary business from his law firm's office. He was re-elected in 2007 with an increased majority and died of cancer in 2013 at age 61.
Fire-Raising Peer: Mike Watson's Hotel Arson
Lord Mike Watson, a former Scottish Labour MSP, was sentenced to 16 months in prison in September 2005 for starting a fire at the Prestonfield House Hotel in Edinburgh after a heavy drinking session at the Scottish Politician of the Year awards. The fire caused £4,500 in damage. Despite CCTV evidence, Watson initially denied responsibility. He was readmitted to Labour in 2012 and later appointed as the party's education spokesman in the Lords by Jeremy Corbyn. However, he joined the Labour Party in England, not Scotland.
Officegate: Henry McLeish's Expenses Oversight
Henry McLeish became First Minister in 2000 after Donald Dewar's death but resigned just over a year later. As an MP, he sublet part of his Glenrothes office without declaring the rental income, totaling £36,000 over five years. McLeish described it as a "muddle, not a fiddle" and repaid the money. Despite calls from the SNP to resign, he stepped down to allow Labour a clean break for the 2003 Scottish Parliament election. McLeish later became a respected academic and lecturer in the US.
