Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain and Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay.
by Bill Heaney
Russell Findlay has today called on the Lord Advocate to consider her position.
The Scottish Conservative leader said Dorothy Bain’s secret tip-off to John Swinney about key details of the criminal case against former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell “smacks of corruption”.
Findlay added that the Lord Advocate’s decision to provide the SNP leader with information about court dates that his party had a vested electoral interest in – before they were made public – left her political neutrality “in ruins”.
Russell Findlay said: “The Lord Advocate was appointed to the SNP government by Nicola Sturgeon. She then gave John Swinney a tip-off about a serious criminal case involving Nicola Sturgeon’s husband.
“She also gave Mr Swinney key details of court dates, to the SNP’s clear electoral advantage.
“This smacks of corruption.
“It undermines public trust in the office of Lord Advocate – who’s supposed to be politically neutral.
“Any remnants of that neutrality are in ruins.
“Will the Lord Advocate now consider her position?”
Top of page: Peter Murrell and his then wife, former First MInister Nicola Sturgeon.
The fact that the investigation of alleged financial misconduct was commenced with a very public crime tent was utterly strange in the least. Not the type of thing needed to hunt for bank ledger entries, stolen goods like cars and campervans. More like street theatre.
And then nearly five years of police and crown office investigation with a criminal trial emerging in the run up to Scottish Parliament election. Timing and decision all very strange.
And it seems very strange to how Peter Murrell’s wife knew nothing of the fraud despite the charges listing the fraud involving motorhomes, expensive cars and huge spending buying allegedly all manner of goods and services over around twelve years. Yes, strange altogether how his partner didnt know or was involved. But news is now being leaked of allegations that Nicola’s parents and sister were in receipt of stolen booty.
Who knows what Peter Mandelson was or wasn’t up to or who he actually was. One thing for sure is that this whole saga has the hallmarks of law fare political theatre by persons or parties unkown to help voters think about how to vote.
Or am I missing something?