Scottish Affairs Committee says Holyrood is the ‘most appropriate place’ for SNP finance probe

The Scottish Parliament is the “most appropriate place” for an inquiry into the embezzlement of SNP funds, an MP panel has said.

The news came as Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged MSPs to act.

The Scottish Affairs Committee is considering opening an inquiry into the Peter Murrell case, which saw the former chief executive of the SNP take £400,000 of party money.

Murrell, who was married to Nicola Sturgeon throughout the 12-year spree, has admitted embezzling the funds and has yet to be sentenced.

SNP leader John Swinney has rejected calls for a parliamentary inquiry at Holyrood, saying the “forensic” Police Scotland investigation and prosecution had provided answers on what happened.

However, the first minister is under pressure from Scottish Labour and others who say the theft of donations from members of the public is a matter requiring further scrutiny.

The Scottish Affairs Committee had been seen as alternative route for this, but the panel, chaired by Labour’s Patricia Ferguson, has decided not to start a probe.

Instead, it will write to the Electoral Commission and other authorities to see what more can be done and await the outcome of a debate on the matter, which will be brought to the Scottish Parliament this afternoon by Labour.

Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions, Starmer urged MSPs to act, saying there are “clearly serious, legitimate questions that deserve answers and scrutiny”.

He said: “I do think the Scottish Parliament should look at them closely, and I hope they'll listen to the concerns of this house.”

In a statement issued before PMQs, the committee said: “The committee agreed that Holyrood was the most appropriate place for an inquiry and it will await the outcome of the forthcoming debate and the establishment of committees there before deciding whether to undertake substantive work on this matter.

“In the meantime, the committee agreed for the chair to write to the clerk of the house, the speaker of the house, and the Electoral Commission to explore further the potential implication of public funds in the embezzlement of SNP funds.”

The news comes after SNP MP Pete Wishart, who chaired the Scottish Affairs Committee in the last session of the UK Parliament, urged members not to launch an inquiry.

Wishart said: “The purpose of the Scottish Affairs Committee is to scrutinise the work of the Scotland Office and to examine the policies, administration and expenditure of the UK Government as they affect Scotland.

“An inquiry into the financial arrangements and internal governance of one of Scotland’s political parties would therefore fall beyond any reasonable interpretation of the committee’s remit.

“Pursuing such an inquiry risks undermining the reputation for balanced and inclusive scrutiny that the committee has worked hard to establish.”