Peter Murrell scandal prompts call for joint Westminster‑Holyrood inquiry

Former Scottish National Party chief executive Peter Murrell was sentenced to more than five years in prison after admitting to embezzling over £400,000 of party funds. Following the conviction, the SNP and its Green allies blocked a planned inquiry by the Scottish Parliament, prompting members of the UK House of Commons’ Scottish Affairs Committee to push for a joint investigation involving both Westminster and Holyrood.

The committee, chaired by Labour MP Patricia Ferguson, has already written to the Electoral Commission and other bodies to determine whether public money was at risk. Sources note that the police operation, dubbed “Branchform”, cost over £2 million and involved the UK‑wide National Crime Agency and the Crown Office. Labour, Liberal Democrat and Conservative MPs have publicly urged a joint probe, arguing it would restore public trust and respect devolution, while warning the SNP may boycott any Westminster‑led inquiry.

The proposed inquiry would examine senior SNP figures’ knowledge of the fraud and the possible misuse of public funds, but would not delve into the party’s internal governance structures.