Swinney's Fierce Defence of Lord Advocate Amid 'Corruption' Allegations
First Minister John Swinney has mounted a desperate defence of Scotland's top law officer, Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain, KC, as she confronts escalating criticism for what opponents label a 'gross misjudgment' in her handling of a court case involving Nicola Sturgeon's estranged husband. During a tense session at Holyrood, Swinney declared his 'absolute confidence' in Bain, even as Conservative leader Russell Findlay asserted that the affair 'smacks of corruption'.
Memo Controversy and Political Firestorm
The controversy centres on a memo Bain sent to Swinney on January 19, confirming that former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell had been accused of embezzling £459,000 from party funds. Swinney drew further fire for forwarding this sensitive document to his chief of staff, Colin McAllister, just 31 minutes after receiving it, a move critics argue was politically motivated.
At First Minister's Questions, Findlay condemned Bain's decision to brief Swinney, calling it a 'gross misjudgment' that 'smacks of corruption'. He argued it gave the SNP a political advantage in an election year, as Swinney and his party knew precise details of the alleged crime while the public remained in the dark. Swinney, however, retorted with fury, stating he was 'disgusted' by Findlay's remarks and praising Bain as an 'outstanding prosecutor'.
Bain's Defence and Accusations of Neutrality Breach
In parliament, Bain faced accusations that her actions had shattered her neutrality, with critics claiming she gave the SNP an unfair edge. She forcefully denied any corruption, insisting she is not 'considering my position' and rejecting suggestions her integrity is compromised. Bain justified sharing the £459,000 figure with Swinney by noting it 'appears on the indictment and was able to be shared'.
Yet, this justification sparked further scrutiny. On the same day, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, which Bain heads, withheld the indictment from the media, declaring it 'not a public document until it is presented in open court'. Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar highlighted this contradiction, calling Bain's statements 'inaccurate and contradictory' and questioning how such actions could be acceptable without constituting political advantage.
Swinney's Justification and Ongoing Fallout
Defending his decision to pass the memo to McAllister, Swinney claimed it was 'a type of communication that I receive from the Lord Advocate on a number of occasions', though his spokesman could not provide examples of similar past incidents. He argued the minute was shared with government officials who 'have to speak on my behalf'.
Findlay, however, pointed to the 'inherent conflict of interest' in Bain's dual role as Scotland's top prosecutor and the government's top law officer, a position she was appointed to by Sturgeon. He emphasised that without media disclosure, only the Crown, Murrell, Swinney, and SNP advisers would have known case details before the election, raising serious ethical concerns.
As the row intensifies, Swinney continues to furiously defend Bain's reputation, while opposition leaders demand accountability, casting a shadow over the independence of Scotland's legal system in a politically charged climate.
