SNP faces inquiry calls after Peter Murrell admits to embezzlement
In The Room: Ex-SNP chief’s embezzlement scandal and the shady role of money in politics
Peter Murrell, the former chief executive of the Scottish National Party (SNP), has admitted to embezzling £400,310.65 from the party between August 2010 and October 2022.
Following Mr Murrell’s admission, former Scottish Government cabinet secretary Alex Neil said the party “absolutely” needs to act, while former SNP frontbencher Joanna Cherry KC called for an “independent investigation into what occurred”.
Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland’s Breakfast programme, Mr Neil said: “The SNP has to hold an independent inquiry, held by a senior KC and that would start with an audit of the current governing processes within the SNP and how the money is managed.”
Mr Murrell, who is Nicola Sturgeon’s estranged husband, used the embezzled funds for a range of luxury personal items. Sturgeon said she had “no knowledge or suspicion whatsoever” of Murrell’s actions.
Current SNP leader and Scottish First Minister John Swinney said on Tuesday that the party’s finances were “strong” in spite of what happened.
