John Swinney has been urged to support an independent inquiry into the Peter Murrell scandal, with a senior Nationalist warning that his refusal is 'damaging' the SNP. Alex Neil, a former Scottish Government minister, said the case against Nicola Sturgeon's estranged husband could continue to dominate headlines for another year unless 'unanswered questions' are addressed.
Neil backed calls for a KC from outside Scotland to review how Murrell handled party funds, stating it would 'get this all done and dusted so it doesn't poison the future chances and future strategy of the party'. He highlighted that one of the major unanswered questions is how more than £600,000 in donations supposedly ring-fenced for an IndyRef2 campaign were ultimately spent.
The issue has resurfaced following Murrell's conviction for embezzlement, where he was found to have taken over £400,000 from the SNP, primarily from members' fees, donations, and legacies. Murrell is due back in court next week for sentencing. Neil emphasised that the original complaint about the ring-fencing of funds has not been resolved, and that police have not yet investigated whether the money was spent as promised.
Neil argued that without proper answers, the scandal will continue to damage the party. 'I think John Swinney has made a huge mistake by not having an independent inquiry into all the outstanding allegations and getting it cleared up within six months,' he said. The SNP and Green MSPs recently voted down a Scottish Labour motion for a parliamentary inquiry, though MPs on the Scottish Affairs Committee at Westminster have not ruled out their own probe.
