John Swinney: No new inquiry over Peter Murrell scandal

First Minister John Swinney has told parliament he will not back an inquiry into the embezzlement of SNP finances by Peter Murrell.

The party’s former chief executive is awaiting sentencing, having admitted the embezzlement of £400,000 between 2010 and 2022.

Funds were spent on everything from crystal salt and pepper grinders to Mont Blanc pens and computer games.

Labour, Reform and the Conservatives all took aim at Swinney and the SNP over the matter, with Tory leader Russell Findlay suggesting that Murrell had been given a “licence to steal”.

Under pressure to open a parliamentary enquiry on the scandal, which involved the misuse of funds donated to the SNP by members of the public, Swinney said he would not do so.

He said the multi-million pound Operation Branchform investigation by Police Scotland had been “forensic”.

Swinney said: “We've just had a police investigation which has gone on for five years, and that police investigation has identified criminality as the source of this particular issue, and that is now being remedied in the courts.

“I don't think there is anything a parliamentary inquiry can add to a five year forensic police investigation that has resulted in the successful prosecution of an individual and his guilty plea.”

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said that while Murrell bears responsibility for his crime, Swinney had helped “build, enable and defend” a culture in the SNP “where secrecy became normal, dissent dangerous, and people learned that speaking out carried a heavy price, all while those at the top of the SNP machine operated without scrutiny”.

He said: “A parliamentary inquiry is not to look into the criminality – that is of course for the police. This inquiry is to look at the culture, the process of decision-making and lessons for the future. It is to answer the many questions that the public have – that requires light and transparency, not the usual John Swinney and SNP playbook to shut down or deflect.”

Murrell plead guilty at the High Court in Edinburgh and was in remanded in custody pending his sentencing. Prosecutors have entered a motion for a confiscation order under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Now estranged from Nicola Sturgeon, she was first minister for many years of his offending and was arrested as part of Operation Branchform but no charges were brought.

She has said she had no knowledge of her husband’s actions.

Findlay told the chamber: “The Peter Murrell scandal isn't just about the SNP's toxic internal culture. This goes to the heart of government and Scotland's justice system. John Swinney and Nicola Sturgeon didn't stop Peter Murrell, they enabled him. Sturgeon warned SNP members to stop asking difficult questions, and John Swinney assured everyone that the SNP's finances were sound. Their shield of protection gave Murrell a licence to steal and people want to know why Nicola Sturgeon wasn't in the dock beside her husband, so will John Swinney back our calls for the Lord Advocate to publish all information relating to this case?”

Swinney said the Crown Office “does not disclose the rationale” for its decisions, “other than where they pursue prosecutions against individuals”.

MSPs heard that reports now suggested taxpayer funds may have been embezzled through the misuse of funds allocated by UK election and parliamentary authorities.

Addressing this, Swinney said that could only apply to a policy development grant from the Electoral Commission, but those funds are not handed over until the commission is satisfied with an audited report of spending.

He said: “This is SNP supporters' money that has been embezzled and not public money.”

The Electoral Commission issued a statement on the matter, saying it “checks carefully that the grant is spent correctly” and it has “seen no evidence of misuse” of the funds. A spokesperson said: “If there is evidence of any misuse, the commission will take appropriate action to safeguard public money.”

The first FMQs of the parliamentary session took place after MSPs voted to call on Westminster to hand over powers allowing the calling of another indyref.

The UK Government has rejected the call.

Swinney previously said he had a secret plan to fall back on in the case of such a result. In his question to Swinney, Reform UK leader Malcolm Offord asked: “Is this now the time for the first minister to reveal his cunning plan, or has Peter Murrell stolen that as well?”

The first minister said he would not “kowtow to 10 Downing Street”, adding: “The people of Scotland have decided this parliament's got an independence majority, and I'm going to use that independence majority to deliver independence.”