# Murrell and Salmond cases deepen doubts over Scotland’s prosecution system

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/murrell-and-salmond-cases-hit-trust-in-legal-system-as-dual-role-of-lord-advocate-is-called-into-question/
- Published: 2026-11-04T19:21:25+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-04T19:53:37+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16265989/Murrell-Salmond-cases-hit-trust-legal-dual-role-Lord-Advocate-called-question.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
- Topics: UK, World

## Key points

- Experts say the cases have weakened confidence in Scotland’s prosecution system.
- MPs are examining the Lord Advocate’s dual role.
- The alleged £460,000 figure was disclosed publicly 11 months after Swinney was told.

## Summary

Legal experts told MPs that the handling of the Peter Murrell and Alex Salmond cases has fuelled public doubts about Scotland’s prosecution system. They argued that the Lord Advocate’s combined role as head of independent prosecutions and the Scottish Government’s senior legal adviser creates tensions that should be addressed.

At a Westminster committee inquiry, Glasgow Caledonian University’s Dr Andrew Tickell said the cases had brought longstanding concerns into sharper focus, particularly because they involved high-profile politicians. He also said earlier public disclosure of the alleged £460,000 embezzlement figure could have avoided controversy over when First Minister John Swinney was informed. Committee chair Patricia Ferguson clarified that no politician was prosecuted in Operation Branchform.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.