by BILL HEANEY
Following confirmation that former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell has had his legal aid withdrawn, Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie, pictured right, said: “Public trust has been badly damaged by the SNP embezzlement scandal, which has not been helped by John Swinney refusing to answer important questions about how it ever took place.
“People across the country will wonder why Peter Murrell was able to qualify for legal aid in the first place, given his healthy salary as the SNP’s chief executive for so many years.
“We need transparency from the Scottish Legal Aid Board regarding the decision-making process, including why Murrell initially qualified, and what has changed for this to now have been withdrawn.
“Public confidence in our institutions relies on full transparency, and that is why I would urge them to fully explain what steps they now intend to take.”