John Swinney has been accused of “trying to shut down scrutiny” as he once again rejected calls for a Holyrood inquiry into the crimes of Peter Murrell, the former SNP chief executive and estranged husband of Nicola Sturgeon. Murrell pleaded guilty this week to embezzling more than £400,000 from the party.
First Minister’s Questions Heats Up
The issue was raised at the first First Minister’s Questions since May’s Holyrood election. Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar alleged that Mr Swinney, who appointed Murrell during his first stint as SNP leader, had “helped build” a culture within the party that enabled the crime. Mr Swinney dismissed this as “victim blaming” and stated that Mr Sarwar should be “ashamed of himself.”
Labour Calls for Parliamentary Inquiry
Mr Sarwar insisted that a parliamentary inquiry was necessary because “secrecy and cover-up go far beyond one individual or one case.” He argued that the SNP had developed a culture where “secrecy became normal, dissent dangerous and people learned that speaking out carried a heavy price.” He emphasized that the inquiry would not examine criminal behaviour but would instead “look at the culture, the process of decision-making and lessons for the future.”
Mr Swinney, however, remained firm in his opposition, telling MSPs: “We have just had a police investigation which has gone on for five years and that police investigation has identified criminality as the source of this particular issue, and that is now being remedied. I don’t think there is anything a parliamentary inquiry can add.” He added that he would rather focus on the priorities of the people of Scotland.
Conservative Criticism
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay accused the First Minister of “trying to shut down scrutiny” on the Murrell affair. He condemned the “usual desperate deflection from John Swinney,” stating: “He’s trying to shut down scrutiny and we won’t stand for it.” Mr Findlay also challenged the First Minister to confirm whether the SNP would take legal action to require Murrell to pay compensation to the party.
Mr Swinney responded by pointing out that prosecutors had made a “verbal motion for confiscation” under proceeds of crime legislation during Monday’s court case, where Murrell admitted embezzling a total of £400,310.65 between 2010 and 2022. He noted that the final decision would rest with the court.
Taxpayers’ Money Allegations
Mr Findlay also raised concerns about reports that taxpayers’ money may have been stolen. Mr Swinney clarified that the only potential issue related to a policy development grant from the Electoral Commission. An Electoral Commission spokesperson stated: “The SNP received policy development grants as set out in law. Parties have to report on their use of the grant and have the grant expenditure independently audited. The commission checks carefully that the grant is spent correctly. The SNP have provided those audits, we have checked them and we have seen no evidence of misuse of policy development grant funds.” The spokesperson added that if any evidence of misuse emerges, the commission will take appropriate action to safeguard public money.
