Keir Starmer has backed calls for a Holyrood probe into the Peter Murrell scandal. The Prime Minister today urged MSPs to look 'closely' at how Nicola Sturgeon's estranged husband was able to carry out his crimes over a 10-year period.
Murrell's Crimes and Guilty Plea
Murrell, 61, pled guilty last month to stealing more than £400,000 of funds from the SNP during his employment as the party's chief executive. He will be sentenced on June 23. He spent the cash on a string of luxury purchases over a decade, including a motorhome, a Jaguar car, jewellery, a £3,000 lawnmower, several Montblanc pens, and high-end kitchenware.
Political Reactions and Inquiry Vote
MSPs will vote later on whether to support Scottish Labour's call for an inquiry to be established at Holyrood, but the motion is likely to fall due to opposition from the SNP and Scottish Greens. Labour MP Alison Taylor today described Murrell's embezzlement as a 'national scandal' and asked Starmer if he backed calls for a probe.
Speaking at PMQs, Taylor said: 'Peter Murrell pled guilty to embezzling over £400,000 of SNP members' funds. Thousands of pounds were spent on luxury items, ranging from a salt and pepper grinder, to a new Jaguar, to a luxury motorhome. When party figures raised concerns, even resigned, they were silenced and ostracised by those at the very top of the SNP. Does the Prime Minister agree that a full investigation into this national scandal needs to be held as a matter of urgency?'
Starmer replied: 'These are clearly serious, legitimate questions that deserve answers and scrutiny - answers and scrutiny they are not getting. I do think the Scottish Parliament should look at them closely.'
