SNP says Westminster inquiry into Murrell scandal would be an ‘unprecedented abuse of committee system’

The SNP has warned that a Westminster inquiry into Peter Murrell’s embezzlement of SNP funds would be an “unprecedented abuse of the House of Commons committee system”.  

The party’s Westminster leader, Dave Doogan, said that in using their majority of votes on the Scottish Affairs Committee, Labour and the Conservatives would set a “dangerous precedent” for committee inquiries.  

The SNP has said any Westminster inquiry into the Murrell scandal would be “politically motivated”.  

Doogan, who is also a member of the committee, urged his colleagues to look at issues that matter to Scotland, such as the rising cost of living, the closure of Grangemouth, and pressure on jobs in the energy sector.  

His warning comes as Labour have tabled a motion at the Scottish Parliament which will force MSPs to vote on whether Holyrood holds a parliamentary inquiry into Murrell’s actions.  

However, it is likely that this will fall, with the SNP and the Scottish Greens expected to vote against.  

Doogan said: “If this inquiry goes ahead as suggested, it would be an unprecedented abuse of the House of Commons committee system and a complete waste of taxpayers’ money.

“The SNP will call this party-political stunt out for exactly what it is – a desperate attempt by Labour Party and Tory MPs to weaponise a taxpayer-funded Westminster committee to take pot shots at their political opponents.

“If a blatantly partisan inquiry were to take place, it would also create a dangerous precedent for investigating rival political parties that a Nigel Farage government will ruthlessly exploit. Wiser heads in the House of Commons must surely see this for what it is.

“The police have already spent five years and more than two million pounds investigating Peter Murrell's embezzlement crimes against the SNP. When John Swinney became SNP leader, he fundamentally reformed the way the party works and ensured a full governance review and stringent financial accountability measures within the party.

“The election in May shows that the public want their politicians to focus on the issues that really matter to voters like the cost of living and the NHS - not party-political stunts. The SNP is doing just that, with new support for first-time buyers, a massive childcare expansion, and more progress in bringing down NHS waiting lists.”