Westminster's Scottish Affairs Committee has postponed a decision on launching a parliamentary inquiry into Peter Murrell's embezzlement of Scottish National Party (SNP) funds. The committee convened on Tuesday to deliberate on the matter but opted to await the outcome of a Holyrood debate scheduled for Wednesday, where Labour is spearheading efforts to establish a Scottish Parliament committee investigation.
Committee's Decision and Next Steps
The committee also resolved to correspond with the Electoral Commission, the Speaker of the House of Commons, and the Clerk of the House to examine the "potential implication of public funds in the embezzlement of SNP funds." In a statement issued on Wednesday, the committee explained: "At its meeting yesterday, the Scottish Affairs Committee discussed matters relating to the embezzlement of funds from the SNP. The committee agreed that Holyrood was the most appropriate place for an inquiry and it will await the outcome of the forthcoming debate and the establishment of committees there before deciding whether to undertake substantive work on this matter."
Further, the committee noted: "In the meantime, the committee agreed for the chair to write to the Clerk of the House, the Speaker of the House, and the Electoral Commission, to explore further the potential implication of public funds in the embezzlement of SNP funds. This correspondence will be sent in due course and will be published on the committee's website in the usual way. The committee agreed to consider any further action in light of the responses received."
Labour's Push for Holyrood Inquiry
The Labour motion advocating for a Holyrood committee to investigate Murrell's embezzlement of over £400,000—used to purchase numerous personal items—is anticipated to be defeated, facing opposition from both the SNP and the Scottish Greens. Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie urged Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) to support their call for an inquiry, describing Wednesday's debate as their "final chance to do the right thing."
"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," Baillie stated. "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."
Murrell, the former chief executive of the SNP, pleaded guilty to embezzlement last month. The case has sparked significant political debate over accountability and transparency within the party.
