The Scottish Affairs Committee (SAC) has confirmed it will launch its own inquiry into the fallout of the Peter Murrell scandal. This decision comes after three Scottish Parliament committees declined to investigate the matter, which involves the embezzlement of over £400,000 by the former SNP chief executive, who is also Nicola Sturgeon’s estranged husband.
The Labour-led committee faced pressure from senior Conservative MPs and Scottish Labour’s acting leader to take up the investigation. MPs on the SAC will examine the Electoral Commission's oversight of the funding and governance of political parties in Scotland.
Dame Jackie Baillie, acting leader of Scottish Labour, stated that while Holyrood was the preferred venue for an inquiry into "Operation Branchform," SNP MSPs have appeared reluctant to provide public answers. "However, if they continue to obstruct an inquiry, then the Scottish Affairs Committee will seek to take forward this important work," Baillie said. "The culture of secrecy and cover-up has festered for too long. It is time the SNP did the right thing and stopped standing in the way of the truth."
Kemi Badenoch had previously accused the SNP of attempting a cover-up and had insisted that if Holyrood did not address the scandal's aftermath, Westminster should. The SAC is chaired by Labour MP Patricia Ferguson and includes ten other members: five from Labour, two Conservative, two Liberal Democrat, and one SNP member.