Former first minister Jack McConnell has backed calls for a joint inquiry between the Scottish Parliament and Westminster into the embezzlement of SNP funds by Peter Murrell, the party’s former chief executive.
Lord McConnell said there should be a dual probe after Murrell pleaded guilty to embezzling £100,000 from the SNP. The former first minister told the BBC that the scandal raised questions about oversight and accountability that needed answers from both parliaments.
“Former first ministers Jack McConnell and Nicola Sturgeon respond to Peter Murrell's embezzlement plea, with McConnell calling for a joint Holyrood-Westminster inquiry into the £100,000 SNP funds scandal.”
Nicola Sturgeon, who was first minister while her husband Murrell ran the party, said she was “coming to terms with being married to someone she did not know”. In a statement following Murrell’s guilty plea, she said she had been “deceived and betrayed”.
The embezzlement involved funds that were meant for the SNP’s independence campaign. Murrell, who was also the party’s treasurer, used the money for personal expenses. The case has triggered political fallout, with opposition parties demanding a full investigation.
Lord McConnell, who served as first minister from 2001 to 2007, argued that a joint inquiry would allow both Holyrood and Westminster committees to examine the matter together. He said the public deserved to understand how such a significant sum could be misappropriated without detection.
The Scottish Parliament’s Public Audit Committee and the Westminster Public Accounts Committee have both expressed interest in holding inquiries. However, there is currently no agreement on the format or scope of any investigation.
Sturgeon, who stepped down as first minister in 2023, has insisted she had no knowledge of Murrell’s actions. She has faced criticism for her oversight of the party’s finances, but has not been accused of any wrongdoing.
Murrell is due to be sentenced later this year. The SNP has said it will cooperate fully with any inquiry.
## What This Means For You
The case raises questions about financial oversight in political parties – particularly at a time when public trust in politicians is low. For taxpayers, the scandal may fuel concerns about how public funds intended for political campaigns are managed. For SNP members, it creates uncertainty about the party’s governance and future direction. The calls for a joint inquiry signal that the matter is likely to remain in the headlines for months, with potential implications for how political parties are regulated across the UK.