Swinney Defers to Courts on Murrell Hearing Timing Amid Election
First Minister John Swinney has firmly stated that decisions regarding the scheduling of court cases are solely within the jurisdiction of the courts. This declaration follows the postponement of a preliminary hearing for former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell, which has been rescheduled to occur after the upcoming Holyrood election.
Murrell's Embezzlement Allegations and Hearing Postponement
Peter Murrell, who is the estranged husband of former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, faces serious accusations of embezzling funds from the Scottish National Party. The alleged misconduct is said to have taken place over a prolonged period, spanning from August 2010 to January 2023. Initially, Murrell was expected to appear at the High Court in Glasgow for a preliminary hearing on February 20. However, in a recent development, it was revealed on Friday that this hearing has been moved to May 25 at the High Court in Edinburgh.
The Crown Office has clarified that adjourning a hearing to a later date is a routine procedural matter and does not signify any substantive development in the case. They emphasised their independence, noting that the Lord Advocate and solicitor general, who are part of the Scottish Government, were not involved in this decision. Additionally, contempt of court provisions are active, restricting published material from including commentary or analysis of evidence, witnesses, or the accused.
Political Reactions and Swinney's Stance
The Scottish Conservatives have expressed significant concern over the timing of the postponement. A spokesman for the party told The Times that eyebrows will be raised by the delay of the court hearing for Nicola Sturgeon's husband until after the Holyrood election. They have called for transparency, urging the authorities to disclose who made this decision and the reasons behind it.
When questioned about the indictment against Murrell and the postponement during a campaign stop in South Queensferry near Edinburgh, Mr Swinney declined to comment. He told the Press Association, "The courts make their own judgments, and this is a live legal case and I'm not going to comment on it." He reiterated this position, stating that the case must take its course without any input from him.
Election Campaign Context
Amidst this legal backdrop, Mr Swinney and other SNP politicians were actively campaigning, using loveheart-shaped signs to highlight their party's achievements. During the event, Swinney contrasted the SNP's governance with the situation at Westminster, saying, "When there is such chaos at Westminster, the SNP Government is delivering for the people of Scotland with, this week, an announcement of the freezing of rail fares and the opening of the first GP walk-in clinic."
He further emphasised the SNP's focus on delivering for Scotland, adding, "So, as Westminster is in chaos, as the Labour Party is divided, the SNP is focusing on delivering for the people of Scotland and that's what we're going to continue to do." This campaign rhetoric underscores the political tensions surrounding the timing of Murrell's hearing, as parties vie for voter attention in the lead-up to the election.
