John Swinney won't say whether he will cooperate with Murrell inquiry
The First Minister was quizzed by journalists as MPs met in private in Westminster
John Swinney has declined to say whether he would cooperate with a Westminster inquiry into the Peter Murrell embezzlement scandal.
Asked by journalists, the First Minister responded: “We’ll see what happens.”
It comes after MPs on the Scottish Affairs Committee met in private to discuss a potential probe into the issues raised by Murrell’s crimes.
Nicola Sturgeon’s estranged husband is expected to be jailed later this month after pleading guilty to embezzling more than £400,000 from the SNP over a 12-year period, during which he was the party’s chief executive.
Insiders said the committee favours an inquiry carried out in Holyrood, and not in Westminster. But if MSPs reject this, it will suggest a joint Holyrood-Westminster inquiry, as advocated by former Labour first minister Jack McConnell.
Only if this is also rejected would the Scottish Affairs Committee, which is led by Labour MP Patricia Ferguson, launch its own inquiry from Westminster.
Its remit would likely focus on the involvement of public money, such as the millions of pounds in “short money” received by the SNP from the UK parliament over the period in question.
Mr Swinney’s recent admission that the SNP may have claimed back VAT on illicit purchases made by Murrell would also likely be scrutinised, as would the role of the Lord Advocate, Scotland’s top prosecutor.
Asked if he would welcome a Westminster probe, Mr Swinney told journalists: “I think it is inappropriate for there to be an inquiry into these matters because they affect the internal governance of the SNP, which I have sorted out.
"The idea of political rivals scrutinising the internal business of other political parties is, let me just say, an interesting precedent to set that people should think twice about.”
Earlier, his spokesman also refused to say if the First Minister would cooperate, saying only that he would “decide how to respond when we see what is agreed to”.
The spokesman said: “The First Minister’s clear view is if the committee decides to proceed it will destroy the credibility of the committee and its convener.”
He added: “This is effectively political parties, members of political parties, conducting an inquiry and scrutinising the internal affairs of another party. That seems to set quite a dangerous precedent.
“The First Minister is simply questioning why on earth it is appropriate for parliamentary time to be used, and ultimately taxpayers’ money, for a process that has already been undertaken.”
SNP Westminster leader Dave Doogan, the party’s only representative on the Scottish Affairs Committee, previously insisted an inquiry would be a “party political stunt” and an “unprecedented abuse” of the committee system at the House of Commons.
Mr Swinney has repeatedly rejected the idea of an inquiry held in Holyrood.
His spokesman said: “The First Minister’s view is we have already had an inquiry, we have already had a police inquiry. There is no need for a further inquiry.
“There is going to be nothing more forensic than a police investigation that lasted several years and actually led to a guilty plea.”
On Wednesday, MSPs will vote on a Scottish Labour motion calling for an inquiry into “the implications and lessons to be learned following the conclusion of Operation Branchform and the embezzlement conviction of Peter Murrell”.
This is expected to be voted down by SNP and Greens MSPs. The Greens will instead put forward proposals for an independent review into party finances in Scotland, not limited to the SNP.
“Peter Murrell’s crimes were a horrendous breach of the trust of SNP members and supporters,” said Ross Greer, the co-leader of the Greens. “He will now face the consequences of his actions.
“Labour are now trying to waste taxpayers’ money on an inquiry into the SNP without even explaining what the point would be.
“Politicians shouldn’t be marking each other’s homework, which is why the Scottish Greens will instead put forward plans for an independent review of political party finances as a whole.
“Labour and the Tories now have a choice to make. Did they call for this review because they’re serious about restoring trust in politics, or because they want another stick to beat the SNP with?
“We need to talk about the influence that wealthy individuals and organisations wield via their donations to politicians and the huge amount of secrecy that still surrounds money in politics.”
Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said: “It is without doubt that there are still significant and serious questions to be answered about Peter Murrell’s criminal activity and the SNP culture that enabled it to happen.
“For years, those at the top of the SNP have sought to shut down and silence whistleblowers and cover up any wrongdoing. That has utterly eroded the public’s trust in Scottish politics and the governing party.
“It is right that lessons are learned from Operation Branchform and this terrible scandal so that we can give the public the reassurances they need, particularly when it comes to how their money is handled.
“We know that John Swinney and others within the SNP, along with Ross Greer, have had close friendships with Murrell, openly praising him for his stewardship of the SNP as chief executive.
“However, they must set aside their personal connections with Murrell and realise that it is only right that we now have an inquiry into this scandal to allow Scotland to move forward.
“They have so far dug their heels in on the issue of an inquiry, but they still have a final chance to do the right thing – back the motion and allow the Scottish Parliament to hold an inquiry.”
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