John Swinney admits Peter Murrell scandal is STILL hurting the SNP
John Swinney said the Peter Murrell scandal continues to hurt the SNP, though he believes his leadership is helping the party recover. His comments came before the SNP conference in Aberdeen, amid renewed scrutiny of the party’s governance and finances.
The Commons Scottish Affairs Committee is examining political parties’ financial controls, oversight, whistleblowing and accountability, with some MPs seeking evidence from Nicola Sturgeon and Murrell. Murrell was jailed for five years and three months in June after admitting to embezzling about £400,000; items bought with party funds included a motorhome worth more than £120,000. Swinney also announced a £100,000 “Choose Scotland” independence campaign and said he was considering Humza Yousaf’s proposal for a third party to determine when an independence referendum should be triggered.
- Swinney says the Murrell scandal still damages the SNP.
- MPs are examining party financial controls and accountability.
- The SNP plans a £100,000 independence campaign.
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The SNP is Scotland’s main pro-independence party and has led the Scottish Government for much of the past two decades. Its former chief executive, Peter Murrell, was married to then-party leader Nicola Sturgeon and managed the party’s finances and administration.
Murrell admitted taking about £400,000 from party funds and was jailed in June. The case has drawn attention to how the SNP managed its money and who was responsible for checking its accounts and raising concerns.
John Swinney became SNP leader and Scotland’s first minister in 2024, after Sturgeon and her successor, Humza Yousaf, left those roles. The party’s handling of its finances matters to its credibility and to its campaign for Scottish independence.