SNP minister accused of being 'lackey' denies blocking scrutiny of party finances
Kirsten Oswald told journalists: ‘I don’t think I’m known as somebody who shuts down debate’
A senior SNP figure accused of being Nicola Sturgeon's "lackey" has denied shutting down internal debate over the party's finances at a time when Peter Murrell was embezzling its funds.
Kirsten Oswald was quizzed by journalists in Holyrood after Mr Murrell, the SNP’s former chief executive, admitted embezzling more than £400,000 from the party.
It follows claims by Joanna Cherry KC, the ex-SNP MP, that Ms Oswald blocked scrutiny of the party’s finances when she was business convener and chair of its national executive committee (NEC).
Murrell was remanded into custody at the High Court in Edinburgh on Monday after pleading guilty to embezzling £400,310.65 from the SNP over a 12-year period.
Police said the 61-year-old, who is Nicola Sturgeon’s estranged husband, abused his privileged position to “bankroll the lavish lifestyle he craved but could not afford”.
“In 2020, many members became concerned that something was seriously wrong and elected to the NEC a slate of people with the express purpose of getting to the bottom of what was happening with the party’s finances,” Ms Cherry wrote on X.
“We were actively thwarted from doing so by the then leader of the party Nicola Sturgeon and her lackeys including the business convenor Kirsten Oswald who chaired the NEC.”
Ms Cherry called for an independent inquiry, insisting those who “actively thwarted scrutiny of the party’s finances or shirked their responsibilities should be held to account”.
Speaking to journalists in Holyrood, Ms Oswald, who is now the SNP minister for victims and community safety, said: “I think that the FM [First Minister] spoke for all of us yesterday actually, the shock and the disappointment and devastating that everybody feels.
“But I would also say you need to look at what Police Scotland have said about that very long investigation, which has looked very carefully into it and it’s very clear where the wrongdoing lies, and it lies with Peter Murrell.”
Asked about claims she was a lackey who repeatedly shut down questions, Ms Oswald said: “I don’t think that I’m known as somebody who shuts down debate, and I think that wouldn’t be a characterisation that I would make.
“But again, I would point you back to what Police Scotland has said about this very complex and long-standing investigation, which has clearly been something which has taken them three or four years to get through.”
Asked if she could have done more in hindsight, she said: “I think that there is one person who is responsible here - that is Peter Murrell, and he has obviously accepted the serious wrongdoing.”
Ms Oswald was previously the MP for East Renfrewshire and served as the SNP’s deputy Westminster leader.
Elsewhere, Colin Beattie, the former SNP treasurer who was arrested and released without charge in 2023, told journalists he was “utterly appalled” and “genuinely hurt” by Murrell’s actions.
“Peter’s guilty plea yesterday was an admission of a huge betrayal of the trust of the SNP, and for that he will have to bear that on his conscience and face the punishment handed down to him next month,” he said.
Speaking at a press conference in Edinburgh on Monday, First Minister John Swinney expressed his “personal horror” at Murrell’s offending.