Scottish Parliament Rejects Call for Peter Murrell Inquiry
The Scottish Parliament has declined a proposal for an inquiry specifically into the crimes of former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell. Instead, members supported a broader investigation into the financing of political parties.
Murrell, who is Nicola Sturgeon's estranged husband, has admitted to embezzling over £400,000 from the SNP. The misappropriated funds were used to purchase items including a motorhome and toiletries.
A motion from Scottish Labour, which argued that an inquiry was necessary "to restore public trust in Scottish politics," was rejected by the parliament.
First Minister John Swinney stated that such a probe would not yield more information than the extensive four-year police investigation into Murrell's activities, while the Green Party described the inquiry as a misuse of public funds.
Ultimately, the parliament approved a motion endorsing an independent review into the finances of all political parties and the influence of wealthy donors.
The Green Party's proposal received support from SNP MSPs but is non-binding.
A Holyrood committee may still pursue establishing an inquiry, although both the SNP and Greens oppose this initiative.
Members of Parliament at Westminster may also consider initiating an investigation, with the Scottish Affairs Committee reviewing calls for such action.
Scottish Labour's motion suggested that an inquiry could explore the "implications and lessons to be learned" from the embezzlement case.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar described the situation as the "greatest political scandal since devolution."
He said the public "understandably have questions and there must be answers" – highlighting concerns about the use of public funds and the roles of the Crown Office, lord advocate, police, and Electoral Commission.
Sarwar further stated that a Holyrood investigation would examine a "systematic culture of cover-up and secrecy" within the SNP.
'Duty to do the right thing'
Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay questioned Nicola Sturgeon's leadership of the SNP and the possible misuse of public funds. He criticized the Green amendment for assisting the SNP by "muddying the waters."
Findlay asserted that Holyrood had a "duty to do the right thing and back an inquiry," adding: "If MSPs refuse to, then Scotland's MPs must act."
The Electoral Commission has previously stated it found no evidence that public funds were embezzled by Murrell.
Supporting an inquiry, Reform UK’s Graham Simpson emphasized that concerns about the case should not be "swept away," noting: "Criminal liability is one thing, political accountability is another."
Liberal Democrat MSP Willie Rennie described Murrell's crimes as a "tragedy," but also cited a "professional failure" by Sturgeon as SNP leader.
He stated it was parliament's responsibility to investigate the case and that the public would expect MSPs to do so.
Green co-leader Ross Greer argued that parliament should focus on investigating wealthy donors and "dark money" organisations.
He called for devolving powers over political party regulation to Holyrood.
Greer characterized Labour's proposal as a waste of taxpayers' money and suggested it would present an "obvious" conflict of interest.
He added that if he were an SNP member, he would demand a "root and branch review" of the party's governance, but emphasized it was not for other parties to dictate how the SNP is managed.
'Legitimate issues to be explored'
John Swinney has consistently rejected calls for a parliamentary inquiry, arguing it could not be more comprehensive than the years-long police investigation. He also noted that the SNP has since implemented strict financial controls.
Prior to the debate, he stated there was "no need for an inquiry" into the Murrell case, adding:
"We know what happened - the SNP was the victim of an embezzlement."
However, the SNP leader acknowledged that there were "legitimate issues to be explored" regarding the funding of political parties.
SNP minister Jamie Hepburn reiterated concerns that a Holyrood inquiry into the Murrell case could lack independence if conducted by opposition MSPs, warning it would set a "very bad" precedent.
Hepburn and other SNP members sought to highlight issues within other parties, such as concerns about UK Labour minister Douglas Alexander's connections to Peter Mandelson.
Nicola Sturgeon has consistently denied any knowledge of the embezzlement and was not charged following the police investigation.
Westminster's Scottish Affairs Committee, comprising MPs from Scotland, stated it would await the outcome of the Scottish Parliament vote before deciding on launching its own inquiry.
In a statement, the committee affirmed that Holyrood was the "most appropriate place" for such a probe.
If a Westminster inquiry is established, both John Swinney and Nicola Sturgeon could be summoned to provide evidence under oath.
On Tuesday, a spokesman for the First Minister claimed that a probe would "destroy the credibility" of the Scottish Affairs Committee and its convener, Labour MP Patricia Gibson.
When asked whether the First Minister would cooperate with a Westminster investigation, the spokesman replied that Swinney would "decide how to respond when we see what is agreed to."
Individuals can be summoned to appear before a UK Parliament committee, although refusal to comply rarely results in serious sanctions.
If a formal request is declined, the individual can be found in contempt of parliament. Historically, those found guilty of contempt could face fines or imprisonment, though no one has been imprisoned since 1880 or fined since 1666.
The Scottish Affairs Committee consists of six Labour MPs, two Conservatives, two Liberal Democrats, and one SNP member.
Scottish Tory MP Andrew Bowie noted there were several "unanswered questions" regarding the Murrell case and said it was "incumbent on MPs to get to the bottom of it."
However, SNP Westminster leader Dave Doogan, the party's sole representative on the Scottish Affairs Committee, argued against attempts to "weaponise a taxpayer-funded Westminster committee to take pot shots at their political opponents."
Murrell is scheduled to be sentenced on 23 June.
