The official also trashed any suggestion of a Westminster inquiry into the scandal.
The First Minister’s official spokesperson has refused to give an assurance John Swinney will cooperate with a Westminster inquiry into the Peter Murrell scandal.
The official said a Commons probe would “destroy” the credibility of the Scottish Affairs committee and its convener, Labour MP Patricia Ferguson.
John Swinney is under pressure after Murrell, the former SNP chief executive and estranged husband of Nicola Sturgeon, pled guilty to embezzling over £400,000 of funds from the party.
He is expected to be jailed later this month and calls have been made for a parliamentary probe into the scandal.
A bid for a Holyrood inquiry is likely to be voted down by the SNP and Greens on Wednesday, a move that could see the Westminster committee act.
The Record last week reported the SNP could boycott participating in a Westminster inquiry and the FM’s official spokesperson fuelled that speculation at a briefing.
Asked if Swinney would cooperate, he said: “If they do decide to hold an inquiry, then the First Minister and the Government and the party will need to decide how to respond.
“But I think the First Minister’s clear view is that if the committee decides to proceed it will destroy the credibility of the committee and its convener.”
Asked again, he replied: “We will decide how to respond.”
The Scottish Affairs committee will meet on Tuesday to discuss its next steps.
Any hearings could be held in Edinburgh in a move to pressurise the First Minister.
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