First Minister John Swinney has been accused of attempting to obstruct a parliamentary inquiry into the Peter Murrell scandal, following his party's refusal to support a probe.
The Scottish National Party (SNP) rejected calls for a Holyrood committee to investigate the fallout from the case, which led to the former SNP chief executive being sentenced to five years and three months in prison for embezzling £400,000 from the party.
This opposition to a Scottish Parliament inquiry comes despite Westminster's Scottish Affairs Committee (SAC) having previously requested that Holyrood committees consider launching their own investigation and indicating a willingness for joint working on the matter. The Labour-led select committee in the UK Parliament has reportedly written to three committees in the Scottish Parliament to ask them to consider an inquiry. Among those approached is the standards, procedures and public appointments committee, where the SNP holds a minority of two Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs), with single representatives from Labour, the Conservatives, and Reform UK.
SNP and Green MSPs had previously united to vote down proposals for a Scottish Parliament inquiry into the scandal. When asked about the possibility of a committee probe, an SNP spokesperson stated, "The Parliament has already voted on this."
Scottish Conservative chief whip Tim Eagle criticized the decision, asserting, "John Swinney is terrified of an investigation into the Peter Murrell scandal and he’s using every trick in the book to block one." He further accused Swinney and former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon of enabling Murrell's actions by disregarding whistleblowers who raised concerns about the SNP's finances. Eagle added that the SAC has made efforts to cooperate with the Scottish Parliament, but these attempts have been repeatedly rejected.
He urged the Labour and Reform members of the standards committee to support an inquiry, suggesting that the SNP would likely use all parliamentary means to prevent it, as "Swinney is running scared." Eagle recommended that the SAC proceed with its own inquiry as the sole method to address the numerous unanswered questions arising from the affair.
It is understood that Labour MP Patricia Ferguson, chairwoman of the Scottish Affairs Committee, has sent letters to the conveners of the standards, public audit, and finance committees. These letters seek their consideration of an investigation and offer collaboration on the issue. Any inquiry would examine a range of matters, including whether any public funds were involved.
Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie stated, "John Swinney and the SNP have huge questions to answer about the Peter Murrell affair and the implications for public services and public funds." She argued that if Swinney has nothing to hide, he should establish a dedicated parliamentary inquiry. Baillie also noted that if the SNP continues to block scrutiny, "all options should be on the table to get the answers Scotland deserves."
Reform UK has not yet declared its stance on supporting an inquiry by a Scottish Parliament committee. With the Scottish Parliament currently in recess, it is unlikely that committees will be able to substantively consider the matter until September. However, committees retain the ability to initiate work in this area if they choose to do so. A Scottish Parliament spokesperson commented, "With the Scottish Parliament now in recess, none of the committees will be in a position to consider the matter substantively until September. However, it is a matter for each committee to decide its work programme based on its remit."