Scottish Parliament rejects call for Peter Murrell inquiry

The Scottish Parliament has rejected a call for an inquiry into the crimes of former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell - instead backing a wider probe into the financing of political parties.

Murrell - Nicola Sturgeon's estranged husband - has admitted embezzling more than £400,000 from the SNP, using the funds to buy goods ranging from a motorhome to toiletries.

A Scottish Labour proposal, which said an inquiry was required "to restore public trust in Scottish politics", was rejected by parliament.

First Minister John Swinney said a probe could not provide more answers than the four-year police investigation into Murrell, while the Greens argued it would be a waste of public money.

The parliament ultimately backed a motion supporting an independent review into the finances of all parties and the influence of wealthy donors.

The Green proposal was passed with the backing of SNP MSPs, though it is not binding.

A Holyrood committee could still move to set up an inquiry, though the SNP and Greens oppose such plans.

MPs at Westminster could also decide to launch a probe, with the Scottish Affairs Committee considering calls to do so.

Scottish Labour's motion said an inquiry could examine the "implications and lessons to be learned" from the embezzlement case.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar told parliament that it was the "greatest political scandal since devolution".

He said the public "understandably have questions and there must be answers" - citing concerns about the use of public funds, as well as the role of the Crown Office, lord advocate, police and Electoral Commission.

Sarwar said a Holyrood investigation would look into a "systematic culture of cover-up and secrecy" in the SNP.

Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay raised questions about Sturgeon's leadership of the party and the potential use of public funds. He said the Green amendment aided the SNP by "muddying the waters".

Findlay said Holyrood had a "duty to do the right thing and back an inquiry", adding: "If MSPs refuse to, then Scotland's MPs must act."

The Electoral Commission has previously said it had seen no evidence that public funds were embezzled by Murrell.

Backing an inquiry, Reform's Graham Simpson said concerns about the case should not be "swept away", adding: "Criminal liability is one thing, political accountability is another."

Liberal Democrat MSP Willie Rennie called Murrell's crimes a "tragedy", but said there had also been a "professional failure" by Sturgeon as SNP leader.

He said it was parliament's responsibility to look into the case, and said the public would expect MSPs to do so.

Green co-leader Ross Greer said parliament should instead investigate wealthy donors and "dark money" organisations.

He called for powers over the regulation of political parties to be devolved to Holyrood.

Greer described Labour's proposal as a waste of taxpayers' money which would present an "obvious" conflict of interest.

He told parliament that if he were an SNP member he would demand a "root and branch review" of its governance, though he said it was not for other parties to decide how the SNP was run.

John Swinney has repeatedly rejected calls for a parliamentary probe, arguing it could not be more thorough than a years-long police investigation. He says the party now has strict financial checks in place.

However, the SNP leader added that there were "legitimate issues to be explored" about the funding of political parties.

Commenting following the vote, Swinney said: "Labour tried to exploit the fact that the SNP has been a victim of a crime for their own political advantage, but their cynical stunt has boomeranged spectacularly.

"The SNP has nothing to fear from a properly independent review. Under my leadership, I have made sure that the SNP's house is in order."

SNP minister Jamie Hepburn reiterated concerns that a Holyrood probe into the Murrell case could not be independent if run by opposition MSPs. He added that it would set a "very bad" precedent.

Hepburn and party colleagues instead sought to focus on issues within other parties, such as concerns about UK Labour minister Douglas Alexander's links to Peter Mandelson.

Sturgeon has consistently denied knowledge of the embezzlement and was not charged after a police investigation.

Westminster's Scottish Affairs Committee, made up of MPs from Scotland, said it would wait for the outcome of the Scottish Parliament vote before it made a decision on launching its own inquiry.

In a statement, the committee said it had agreed Holyrood was the "most appropriate place" for a probe.

If a Westminster inquiry was set up, both Swinney and Nicola Sturgeon could be asked to give evidence under oath.

On Tuesday, the first minister's spokesman claimed that a probe would "destroy the credibility" of the Scottish Affairs Committee and its convener, Labour MP Patricia Gibson.

He would not be drawn on whether the first minister would co-operate with a Westminster investigation, replying that Swinney would "decide how to respond when we see what is agreed to".

People can be summoned to appear in front of a UK Parliament committee, though they are unlikely to face any serious sanctions for refusing to do so.

If someone rejects a formal request, they can be found in contempt of parliament. Historically, those found guilty of contempt could be fined or imprisoned, though no-one has been locked up since 1880, or fined since 1666.

The Scottish Affairs Committee is made up of six Labour MPs, two Conservatives, two Liberal Democrats and one from the SNP.

Scottish Tory MP Andrew Bowie said there were several "unanswered questions" about the Murrell case and said it was "incumbent on MPs to get to the bottom of it".

But SNP Westminster leader Dave Doogan, his party's sole representative on the Scottish Affairs Committee, has argued against any attempt to "weaponise a taxpayer-funded Westminster committee to take pot shots at their political opponents".

Murrell is due to be sentenced on 23 June.