John Swinney has “no place left to hide” and must urgently back an inquiry into the Peter Murrell scandal following remarks made in court at his sentencing.
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay has highlighted the comments made by judge Lord Young who described the manner of Murrell’s embezzlement as “not particularly sophisticated.”
Findlay says that destroys any sort of idea that Nicola Sturgeon’s estranged husband, and CEO of the SNP for over two decades, was some sort of “criminal mastermind” who managed to pull the wool over the eyes of everyone in the party.
However, Swinney insisted to journalists yesterday after Murrell’s sentencing that he had embezzled the money by subverting the controls and procedures that were in place within the party.
Findlay added Swinney is desperate to bury the prospect of any inquiry, but the judge’s remarks have only reaffirmed the need for a robust and independent one to take place.
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said: “Following the judge's comments, John Swinney has no place left to hide.
“The judge demolishes any idea that Peter Murrell was a criminal mastermind whose sophistication and cunning pulled the wool over the eyes of everyone in the SNP.
“At the very least, Swinney and Nicola Sturgeon emboldened Murrell due to the SNP's non-existent financial controls.
"But worse than that, they enabled Murrell by shutting down valid questions and falsely assuring people that their finances were sound.
“As the king of SNP cover-ups, Swinney is desperate to bury this but the judge's damning comments reaffirm the need for a robust and independent inquiry.”