Labour leader Anas Sarwar, Peter Murrell and First Minister John Swinney.
by Bill Heaney
The row over the SNP’s refusal to have an inquiry into the Peter Murrell £400,000 embezzlement case rumbles on.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said: “Last night the SNP voted down an inquiry into the lessons and implications of Operation Branchform and the conviction of Peter Murrell.
“The reason given was that the SNP believed this was an attempt by political rivals to investigate the internal workings of another political party.
“That is not my intention.
“The crimes of Peter Murrell are for Peter Murrell, but there are issues raised that go beyond the internal workings of the SNP.
“There are questions for Police Scotland, the Crown Office, the Lord Advocate, the Electoral Commission, HMRC, and others like the Scottish Legal Aid Board, on why a wealthy man, who owns property abroad and says he has the means to immediately pay back £400,000 had access to legal aid?
“Scots demand answers to these valid questions.
“Operation Branchform was an investigation into the governing party of Scotland.
“It would further undermine public trust and confidence, and further undermine our democracy, if the governing party blocks any attempt to look at the lessons and implications of that investigation and subsequent conviction.
“Rebuilding trust is on all of us.
“I have today written to all political parties asking them to meet and start the work of agreeing on the terms of reference and scope of any potential inquiry.
“This should be a process the SNP and Greens engage with in good faith.
“Governance of the SNP is for John Swinney and the SNP.
“But scrutiny of Government and our institutions is for Parliament and Parliamentarians – it is our duty.
“Why can’t John Swinney confront a culture of secrecy and cover-up and put country before party by agreeing terms for a meaningful inquiry?”
ENDS