The Prime Minister called on Holyrood to look “closely” at how Nicola Sturgeon’s estranged husband was able to carry out his crimes.
Peter Murrell was a long serving chief executive of the SNP(Image: 2020 Getty Images)
Keir Starmer has backed calls for a Holyrood probe into the Peter Murrell scandal.
The Prime Minister today urged MSPs to look “closely” at how Nicola Sturgeon’s estranged husband was able to carry out his crimes over a 10-year period.
Murrell, 61, pled guilty last month to stealing more than £400,000 of funds from the SNP during his employment as the party’s chief executive. He will be sentenced on June 23.
He spent the cash on a string of luxury purchases over a 10-year period including a motorhome, a Jaguar car, jewellery, a £3,000 lawnmower, several Montblanc pens and high-end kitchenware.
MSPs will vote later on whether to support Scottish Labour’s call for an inquiry to be established at Holyrood – but the motion is likely to fall due to opposition from the SNP and Scottish Greens.
Labour MP Alison Taylor today described Murrell’s embezzlement as a “national scandal” and asked Starmer if he backed calls for a probe.
Speaking at PMQs, Taylor said: “Peter Murrell pled guilty to embezzling over £400,000 of SNP members’ funds. Thousands of pounds were spent on luxury items, ranging from a salt and pepper grinder, to a new Jaguar, to a luxury motorhome.
“When party figures raised concerns, even resigned, they were silenced and ostracised by those at the very top of the SNP. Does the Prime Minister agree that a full investigation into this national scandal needs to be held as a matter of urgency?”
Starmer replied: “These are clearly serious, legitimate questions that deserve answers and scrutiny – answers and scrutiny they are not getting. I do think the Scottish Parliament should look at them closely.”
