An inquiry into the fallout from the Peter Murrell scandal has been launched by a powerful Westminster committee after Holyrood refused to act.
The Scottish Affairs select committee has announced that it will probe key aspects of the scandal, which saw the former SNP chief executive jailed for embezzling more than £400,000 from his party.
It will also examine the case for breaking up the role of Scotland’s Lord Advocate, which is both the head of the prosecution service and also the Scottish Government’s top legal adviser.
It follows concerns about the former Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain tipping off the First Minister about key details of the court hearing for Murrell, who is Nicola Sturgeon’s estranged husband.
The two inquiries were launched after SNP and Green MSPs united to vote down calls for a Scottish Parliament inquiry into the matter and three Holyrood committees refused to carry out joint work with the Scottish Affairs committee on the issue.
Andrew Bowie, Conservative MP for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, the Shadow Energy Secretary, said: ‘Sneaky John Swinney pulled out all the stops to block a Holyrood inquiry into Murrell’s dodgy dealings.
Peter Murrell pleaded guilty to embezzling over £400,000
Patricia Ferguson has confirmed the Scottish Affairs Committee will open an investigation into the scandal
‘The former CEO of the SNP stole hundreds of thousands of pounds from his own party and got away with it for so long because Sturgeon and Swinney ignored and silenced whistleblowers who sounded the alarm.
‘The Scottish Affairs Committee is rightly stepping in and shining a light on the murky matters that the SNP would rather never saw the light of day, including the glaring conflict at the heart of the Lord Advocate’s dual role.
‘Scots deserve the truth about how this scandal happened and why it went undetected for so long.’
MPs on the Scottish Affairs Committee met yesterday afternoon to agree the two inquiries in the wake of the Murrell scandal.
One will look at the Electoral Commission’s oversight of the funding and governance of political parties in Scotland, as well as the policies, processes and safeguards associated with the distribution of Short Money to political parties.
It could assess whether any public money was involved in Murrell’s crimes.
Another will assess the cases for and against splitting up the Lord Advocate dual roles, and the different options for reform. This will include any ‘conflicts of interest’ between the two roles.
The SNP, which has opposed a committee inquiry at Holyrood or Westminster, has so far refused to say if it will co-operate with the inquiry.
Westminster select committees have the power to require named witnesses to attend in person to give oral evidence and to require that specified papers be provided to them.
If someone refuses to give evidence or provide requested material, they could ultimately face sanctions including admonishment, fines and imprisonment.
Scottish Labour acting leader Dame Jackie Baillie said: ‘We were always clear that our preference would have been for a Scottish Parliament inquiry into these matters – however, the SNP has thwarted any such inquiry at every opportunity.
‘It is therefore welcome that the Scottish Affairs Committee has now confirmed it will investigate the role of the Lord Advocate, and the Electoral Commission’s oversight of the funding and governance of political parties in Scotland.
‘Peter Murrell’s crimes have shaken trust in Scottish politics, and the SNP have done absolutely nothing to try and build that trust back – choosing evasion rather than scrutiny amid calls for an inquiry.
‘The people of Scotland deserve the truth, and they deserve answers about these serious issues.’
Police raided Murrell’s home as part of the investigation
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said: ‘John Swinney has done everything he can to block an inquiry into Operation Branchform.
‘The SNP are running scared because an inquiry would question how Peter Murrell was emboldened by his wife Nicola Sturgeon and his childhood friend John Swinney who shut down legitimate questions and concerns.
‘There are also questions about why only one person was charged and whether Police Scotland agreed with that decision.
‘And, crucially, why Murrell was granted a favourable plea deal that not only spared Sturgeon’s blushes but handed the SNP a massive electoral advantage.
‘It is entirely right that the UK parliament inquiry also establishes whether any public money was stolen. The public deserve the full truth no matter how uncomfortable it is for the SNP.’
John Cooper, the Tory MP for Dumfries and Galloway who is pressing for Westminster legislation to split up the Lord Advocate role, said: ‘The Murrell scandal has exposed the glaring conflict at the heart of the Lord Advocate’s dual role.
‘Having the same person serve as the Government’s chief legal adviser and head of the prosecution service is an obvious anomaly that has no place in a modern justice system.
‘I have been campaigning to split these roles because the status quo is simply not sustainable, and I welcome this inquiry finally giving Parliament the opportunity to properly examine the case for reform.
‘The Scottish Government cannot continue to ignore the damage this conflict of interest does to confidence in our justice system.’
Patricia Ferguson, chairman of the Scottish Affairs Committee, said: ‘The role of the Lord Advocate is unique, combining responsibilities as both the Scottish Government’s chief legal adviser and the head of Scotland’s prosecution service.
‘The handling of Operation Branchform has once again brought to the fore the challenges this dual role can present. It’s right that the appropriateness of the Lord Advocate’s dual role is properly considered, and we’ll explore the advantages and disadvantages of the current arrangement, and possible options for reform.
‘Alongside this, we’ll open an inquiry examining the Electoral Commission’s oversight of the funding and governance of political parties in Scotland, and the policies, processes and safeguards associated with the distribution of Short Money.
‘Transparency and accountability are fundamental to our democratic institutions, and we look forward to gathering evidence on whether our current systems are working effectively.
‘We will undertake this work alone, following confirmation from relevant Holyrood committees that they do not wish to work jointly with us on these important issues, which interact with devolved competence.’
The SNP has been asked whether it will co-operate with the inquiries.
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