MPs write to Electoral Commission seeking answers over Murrell scandal

The Scottish Affairs Committee has written to the Electoral Commission and clerk of the House of Commons regarding the potential misuse of public funds by Peter Murrell.

The former SNP chief executive was convicted of embezzling from the party earlier this month.

There has since been speculation that the criminal activity, which took place over a period of 12 years, may have extended to the embezzlement of short money and policy development grants.

The committee has written to the clerk to request further information about the short money allocated to the SNP between 2010 and 2022. It also asks whether the clerk or other authorities “had any grounds for concern – or received any serious and credible concerns from others – about the potential misuse” of such money.

Short money is financial assistance provided to opposition parties from public funds to support them as they conduct parliamentary business. It is proportionate to the size of the parliamentary group.

Each party in receipt of such money must submit an annual audit report from an independent auditor to confirm such money has been spent appropriately.

The committee is seeking evidence from the clerk about this evidence received alongside these audits, including whether details of expenditure are provided.

In a separate letter to the Electoral Commission regarding policy development grants, the committee asks how it has “satisfied itself that this funding was used appropriately”.

These grants are distributed by the Commission to political parties to support them in developing policies to include in election manifestos.

The Commission has publicly stated it found no evidence that public funds had been embezzled by Murrell.

The committee agreed to write to the clerk and the Commission last week, after it agreed to delay taking a decision on whether to launch an inquiry into the Murrell affair.

It said at the time the Scottish Parliament was the “most appropriate place” for such an inquiry, though Holyrood has since voted to reject these calls.

MSPs instead backed the establishment of an independent review of all political party finances.