MSPs on a Scottish parliament inquiry have dismissed allegations that WhatsApp messages sent by Peter Murrell, the husband of former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, and other senior SNP officials proved a conspiracy to destroy Alex Salmond. The messages, which were central to Salmond's claims of a 'malicious and concerted' effort to pressure police and witnesses, have been reviewed in full by the committee.
Committee members believe the texts, while at times hyperbolic, are more innocuous than first appeared. They show SNP officials encouraging people to come forward but do not establish a conspiracy. The final report, due on 22 or 23 March, is expected to reject Salmond's allegations of improper interference in the police investigation and collusion with prosecutors.
One text from Murrell on 25 January 2020 said it was a 'good time to be pressurising' police as they were 'twiddling their thumbs'. MSPs believe this referred to police requests for help tracing victims. Another said 'the more fronts [Salmond] is having to firefight on the better for all complainers', which MSPs believe referred to the Crown Prosecution Service's decision not to take action after a Met police investigation.
Murrell rejected claims of a conspiracy, acknowledging the language was inappropriate and 'out of character'. The committee has asked Murrell and two other SNP officials for permission to publish the full exchanges, as selective leaking may have mischaracterised them. However, a batch of emails involving SNP officials who became complainers in Salmond's criminal trial has not been seen by the committee, as they relate directly to the trial.
