SNP and Greens accused of 'sleazy' cover-up over Peter Murrell inquiry

But critics immediately dismissed the move as a “pathetic smokescreen” designed to deflect attention from the SNP.

It came as proposals for a specific parliamentary inquiry into the wider issues surrounding Murrell’s crimes were voted down in Holyrood.

Scottish Labour, which had tabled the plans, accused the SNP and Greens of a “sleazy attempt to hide from scrutiny”.

READ MORE: The key questions an inquiry into Peter Murrell scandal could ask

The SNP backed a Green amendment proposing “an independent review into party political finances”, which will be “independently led rather than conducted by parliamentary committee”, with a remit covering the funding of all political parties, rather than just the SNP.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said: "Faced with the opportunity to have an inquiry into one of the greatest scandals in Scottish political history, the SNP and the Greens have teamed up to deny Scots answers.

“They have shamefully teamed up to continue the very culture that enabled Murrell to commit his crimes. If they have nothing to hide then why are they so scared of transparency?”

He added: "The people of Scotland deserve better than this sleazy attempt to hide from scrutiny and continue the cover-up.”

Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said: “This pathetic smokescreen by the SNP’s faithful Green lapdogs is designed to deflect attention from the Peter Murrell scandal.

“An inquiry would ask key questions about the SNP’s despicable tactics of silencing legitimate questions from whistleblowers and journalists.

“But it would also answer key questions about the prosecution process, including the plea deal that benefitted the SNP, and whether any public money was stolen.”

Professor James Mitchell of Edinburgh University, an expert on the SNP, described the independent probe as “an attempt to evade the very serious issues that require focus on SNP financial mismanagement”.

First Minister John Swinney welcomed the vote. In a statement, he said: “Tonight MSPs have agreed there must be a fully independent review into the funding of all political parties.

“Labour tried to exploit the fact that the SNP has been a victim of a crime for their own political advantage, but their cynical stunt has boomeranged spectacularly.

“The SNP has nothing to fear from a properly independent review. Under my leadership, I have made sure that the SNP’s house is in order – our spectacular election victory last month could not have been possible without us winning the trust not only of our dedicated members, but more fundamentally with the people of Scotland.

“After constantly accusing the SNP of secrecy, Labour now find themselves in the farcical position of failing to vote with the SNP for a properly independent review of the funding of all political parties.

“They are clearly terrified of holding themselves to the same standard as they hold others, and people will rightly be asking what it is that they have to hide.”

He added: “Labour still clearly haven’t learned anything from their crushing defeat in last month’s election, but here’s one lesson they can take away from tonight’s defeat in Parliament – be careful what you wish for.”

Details of the independent probe, such as who will lead it, when it will be launched and exactly what its remit will cover, have yet to be decided.

The vote on Wednesday came after Sir Keir Starmer backed a Holyrood probe into the Murrell scandal, telling MPs there are “clearly serious, legitimate questions that deserve answers and scrutiny”.

Speaking in the House of Commons, the Prime Minister said: "I do think the Scottish Parliament should look at them closely, and I hope they’ll listen to the concerns of this House.”

Murrell 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.

His crimes have raised wider questions about governance and transparency within the SNP, fuelling calls for an inquiry.

Mr Swinney has repeatedly rejected this, insisting there “can be no higher investigation” than the police probe, dubbed Operation Branchform, which caught Murrell.

Westminster’s Scottish Affairs Committee delayed a decision on launching its own investigation until after the debate in Holyrood.

It has written to the Electoral Commission, the Speaker of the House of Commons and the Clerk of the House to understand the “potential implication of public funds in the embezzlement of SNP funds”.

Scottish Greens co-leader Ross Greer said: “I am glad that Parliament supported our call for an independent investigation into party political finances.

“At a time when billionaires and bad faith actors are trying to buy political influence and corrupt our politics, it is important that every political party is held to high standards of financial transparency.

“Westminster has refused to act because the major parties there are bankrolled by the super rich. That’s why our proposals include a call for the power to regulate political parties in Scotland to be transferred to the Scottish Parliament.

“The UK government should make that transfer immediately. This would allow MSPs to deliver on any outcomes of the independent review which would require changes to the law.

“The cheap and opportunistic politics from Labour and the Tories would have seen taxpayers’ money wasted on a parliamentary inquiry into the SNP.

“I’m glad that MSPs rejected that and voted instead for the Scottish Greens’ proposal for an independent review covering all political parties.

“It is not the job of politicians to mark our own homework, that must be done independently and fairly.

“Time and again Westminster has refused to improve political transparency across the UK. In Scotland we can now do our bit to restore public trust, starting with this wide-ranging review.”