Exclusive:SNP Westminster leader under pressure to back Peter Murrell inquiry

Dave Doogan has refused to say if he will support a probe from the Scottish Affairs Committee into Nicola Sturgeon’s estranged husband stealing £400,000 from the party.

Other members of the committee have urged Mr Doogan to join them and back a probe ahead of its meeting on Tuesday.

The Scotsman was first to reveal that almost all members on the Scottish Affairs Committee want an investigation into Mr Murrell use of party money.

They have been prompted by SNP First Minister John Swinney so far rejecting a Holyrood inquiry.

Committee member Douglas McAllister, who is the Labour MP for West Dunbartonshire, said Mr Doogan taking part would “help demonstrate impartiality of our process.”

Read more: Westminster committee to discuss Peter Murrell embezzlement inquiry next week

He said: “With each passing day another revelation comes out linked to this sorry story. From potential VAT Fraud to allegations of cash for Westminster seats.

“It’s incumbent upon all members of the Scottish Affairs Committee that we investigate and attempt to restore order and confidence back to public life if we are ever to enjoy the trust of the Scottish people again.

“I would have thought all members no matter their political affiliation would wish to take part in that inquiry and help demonstrate impartiality of our process.”

The Scottish Affairs Committee meets in private at 2pm on Tuesday ahead of its oral evidence session on defence.

Members will use this as an opportunity to speak about whether an inquiry should be launched.

Chair Patricia Ferguson has already confirmed that it will “consider” holding a probe.

The committee is supposed to scrutinise the work of the UK Government.

But it has been suggested that an inquiry into the SNP could take place because the party has received public funds.

Lib Dem MP Susan Murray, who represents East Dunbartonshire, said: "The SNP should be more open.

“I think the case for an inquiry is undeniable and I am surprised that no SNP parliamentarian seems curious about how far the deception went.

“If the SNP won't take part in a parliamentary inquiry, I think they will disappoint not only the public but also SNP members who deserve to know how deep Peter Murrell's deception went."

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Mr Doogan became SNP Westminster leader last month after his predecessor Stephen Flynn was elected to Holyrood.

He replaced Mr Flynn on the committee in May last year.

Tory shadow Scottish secretary Andrew Bowie said: “It's quite clear there's public interest in there being an inquiry into the Peter Murrell Nicola Sturgeon saga, and therefore Dave Doogan should do the decent thing and agree to an inquiry led by the Scottish Affairs Committee at Westminster.

“The Scottish people need to know who knew what and when, what was covered up, and how the structures were allowed to be in place for such a long time without John Swinney or Nicola Sturgeon asking the right questions.

“It's absolutely clear that the Westminster committee that should be in charge is Scottish Affairs Committee, and I hope that Dave Doogan recognizes the public interest in this and does a decent thing and agree to an inquiry.”

The committee usually makes a unanimous decision when deciding what subjects to focus on in an inquiry. It is unclear whether it would hold an inquiry if any members vote against it.

Mr Murrell - the estranged husband of former SNP First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and ex-party chief executive - admitted embezzling a total of £400,310.65 from the SNP between August 2010 and October 2022.

Former Scottish Affairs Committee chair - and current SNP MP - Pete Wishart has urged members of the committee not to back a probe.

He posted on social media on Sunday alongside a letter he had written to the committee: “As a former Chair I've written to the SAC cautioning them not to impose an inquiry on the Murrell prosecution.

“Select committees work best when they work consensually in cross party inquiry and this is beyond remit.

“It took one side in the indyref and lost credibility as a result.”

Reports have suggested that the SNP could boycott any inquiry and plans for a Holyrood investigation appear dead in the water after reports suggested the Greens are not in favour.

Scottish Labour is to force a vote in the Scottish Parliament on the issue on Wednesday.

The SNP is against a probe - meaning the Greens hold the balance of power in Holyrood.

But a spokesperson from the Greens said: “Peter Murrell’s crimes were a terrible breach of the trust of SNP members and supporters. He will now face the consequences of that.

“If further investigations are needed, they should be led by the independent Electoral Commission or Police Scotland, not political parties.

“There is an obvious conflict of interest in parties ‘investigating’ each other like this, not to mention the cost on top of the millions already spent on the police investigation.

“Scottish Green MSPs will focus on delivering policies that save people money and protect our planet. That is what all parties should focus on, rather than trying to turn our justice system into a political circus.”

Police have also been urged to launch an investigation into the whereabouts of more than £600,000 of party cash, which was said to be “ringfenced” for campaigning in a future second referendum.

Concerns that this money had gone missing led to the Operation Branchform investigation into SNP finances, which led to Mr Murrell’s guilty plea.

Swinney said on Wednesday that the £600,000 was “part of the resources that are available within the Scottish National Party to support its independence objectives”.

Speaking to journalists, he said: “The SNP is the party of independence and that is what we campaign for.”

While the matter was raised with police, the force said there would be no fresh investigation.

The SNP and Mr Doogan were approached for comment.