Members of the British House of Lords are reportedly preparing to launch an investigation into the scandal involving Peter Murrell, the former chief executive of the Scottish National Party (SNP) who embezzled party funds. This potential inquiry by the upper chamber of the UK Parliament comes after the Scottish Parliament, Holyrood, rejected proposals for its own investigation.
The scandal centers on allegations that Murrell, who was married to former SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon, embezzled over £400,000 from the party over 12 years. The police investigation, dubbed Operation Branchform, has already cost taxpayers more than £3 million. Murrell has since been jailed for the embezzlement.
Concerns have been raised about the SNP's handling of a £660,000 referendum fighting fund, which the party now acknowledges was used for general 'ongoing activities' rather than being ring-fenced. The catalyst for the broader investigation into Murrell's activities, which included the purchase of a £124,000 motorhome, was the use of these funds.
Senior figures in the House of Lords have expressed a desire to clarify the matter, with one crossbench peer stating that "something must be done to clear the matter up." The possibility of an inquiry by the House of Commons Scottish Affairs Committee is also being considered.
SNP leader John Swinney and his allies in the Scottish Greens have opposed a closer examination of the affair within the Scottish Parliament. Critics argue this decision deprives the public of a full understanding of how Murrell allegedly misused party funds. This situation has led to a perceived vacuum of accountability within Scotland's devolved institutions.
Nicola Sturgeon, who maintains she had no grounds for suspicion during Murrell's tenure, is currently promoting her memoir, 'Frankly.' The latest edition includes a new foreword where she criticizes Swinney's leadership, sparking internal party friction. Sturgeon has reportedly not published her full statement to the police regarding Operation Branchform, despite no legal impediment, though officers indicated it did not fully address their questions.
Peers preparing to investigate the Murrell affair adds a layer of irony, given the SNP's long-standing calls for the abolition of the House of Lords, which the party views as a symbol of colonial oppression. The potential for the very institution the SNP seeks to dismantle to scrutinize its internal affairs is seen by some as a politically significant development.