Westminster committee pushes for joint probe with Holyrood into Peter Murrell embezzlement of SNP funds

The Scottish Affairs Committee has agreed that chair Patricia Ferguson should write to the relevant Scottish Parliament committees about working together on a probe into the scandal.

And the committee revealed that the Electoral Commission is also working with the SNP to check whether Mr Murrell embezzled taxpayer cash while SNP chief executive.

It also showed that the SNP received more than £10 million in taxpayers’ money between 2010 and 2022 - when Mr Murrell carried out his crimes.

Nicola Sturgeon’s estranged husband was sentenced to five years in prison for embezzling £400,000 last week.

The Scotsman revealed in May that almost all members of the Scottish Affairs Committee wanted an inquiry into Mr Murrell. The only member who does not back a Westminster probe is SNP Commons leader Dave Doogan. Former first minister Jack McConnell had been the first to suggest a joint Holyrood-Westminster probe in an interview with The Scotsman.

A statement from the committee said: “The Scottish Affairs Committee has agreed that the Chair should write to relevant committees of the Scottish Parliament, to explore the potential of undertaking joint working in respect of matters relating to the embezzlement of funds from the Scottish National Party.”

It also released correspondence from the Electoral Commission and the Clerk of the House of Commons. The letters revealed that the SNP had received £2.2million in policy development grants from the Electoral Commission between 2010 and 2022. It also received £8.2 million in short money - funds given to parties for the number of MPs and votes they have won - during the same period.

The Electoral Commission - which regulates party and election finance - said in a letter to Ms Ferguson that it had “seen no evidence of misuse of policy development grant funds by the SNP”.

But it added that it was “working with the SNP to review any past accounts, declarations or disclosures, following the conviction of Peter Murrell.”

The Electoral Commission provides Policy Development Grants of £2 million a year in total to help parties research and develop policies for election manifestos.

Commission chair John Pullinger wrote: “Between 2010 and 2022, the Scottish National Party received £2,248,353 in policy development grants.

“The amounts received each year are annexed. The policy development grant fund is also reported in the party’s annual accounts each year, which are published by the Commission to provide transparency to voters.

“For the years they were in receipt of monies, the Scottish National Party provided reports to the Commission on their use of the policy development grants, which were independently audited.

“We checked the reports for compliance with the requirements of the policy development grant scheme, while looking to auditors to verify accuracy and the police for enforcement of financial criminal offences.

“In this case, the offences of fraud were duly investigated by the police, with our full support. The evidence shows that the party spent its policy development grants on eligible costs, mostly staff salaries, which we can see were paid. We have seen no evidence of misuse of policy development grant funds by the SNP in our annual compliance checks.

“We are currently working with the SNP to review any past accounts, declarations or disclosures, following the conviction of Peter Murrell. If there is evidence of any misuse, the Commission will take appropriate action to safeguard public money, using powers set out in Schedule 1, paragraph 1 of PPERA.

“The terms and conditions of the PDG scheme allow for recovery of funds via either repayment from the party or issuing civil proceedings against the party for the recovery of the value that was spent improperly.”

Clerk of the House of Commons Tom Goldsmith wrote: “I can confirm that, until the recent events which have prompted your inquiry, no concerns had been raised with me.

“Since the investigation into, and trial of, Peter Murrell, the House authorities have received a number of non-specific media enquiries on this issue, as well as your letter.

“The relevant colleagues I have consulted are not aware of other substantial concerns having been raised in recent years. In light of that, I have no reason to believe there are systemic weaknesses with the system.” However, I will of course look carefully at your Committee's findings and recommendations.”