John Swinney acknowledges a structural weakness in the SNP after Peter Murrell admitted embezzling funds. The first minister explains why he did not raise concerns at the time, outlines steps on governance and responds to calls for wider inquiries.
The leadership structure within the Scottish National Party has come under intense scrutiny after the party’s former chief executive, Peter Murrell, admitted to embezzling more than £400,000. In public comments, Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney described the arrangement that placed Mr Murrell and former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in top roles as possessing a “fundamental flaw.” He said he did not previously challenge the setup because he believed existing accountability mechanisms were sufficient.
Murrell’s guilty plea and the surrounding revelations have reignited debate about internal controls, transparency and the adequacy of oversight within political parties. Swinney emphasized the need to confront shortcomings and implement improvements to restore trust and ensure robust governance going forward.
Why Swinney now calls the arrangement flawed
In an interview on BBC Scotland’s Sunday Show, Mr Swinney reflected on why he refrained from raising concerns earlier. He explained that he trusted the party’s internal structures — notably the role of the business convener and the National Executive Committee — to provide checks and balances.
Yet, after the recent developments, he acknowledged those mechanisms failed to prevent or detect prolonged misuse of funds.
He framed the revelation as a systemic problem rather than the sole responsibility of individuals: “It’s very clear from the experience we’re all having to come to terms with this week that there was a fundamental flaw in those arrangements, and we have to confront that.” Swinney argued the party must undertake governance reforms to raise standards and rebuild confidence.
Responses from key figures and accountability questions
Nicola Sturgeon, who led Scotland as First Minister from 2014 to 2026, has publicly described her decision to keep Murrell in his role as a “misjudgment” with the benefit of hindsight. She has said that when she became leader she thought it would be unfair to remove him and that she was misled by Murrell. Sturgeon also maintains that she was cleared by police investigations.
Peter Murrell served as SNP chief executive from 2001 to 2026. He admitted embezzling £400,310.65 from party funds covering the period from 2010 to 2026 and has entered a guilty plea at the High Court in Edinburgh. He faces sentencing in due course.
Calls for inquiry and Swinney’s response
There have been repeated calls for an independent investigation into the party’s finances. Some critics, including the shadow Scottish secretary, have asked Westminster committees to examine broader institutional issues highlighted by the case. Swinney, however, has rejected the idea that a parliamentary inquiry would add meaningful value on top of the recently completed police work.
He argued that the criminal probe — described as a “five-year forensic police investigation” culminating in a prosecution and a guilty plea — represents the highest standard of inquiry available in Scotland. For Swinney, the immediate priority is to implement governance improvements within the party rather than pursue further legislative scrutiny.
Voices from former members and implications for the party
Former SNP figures who left the party have voiced frustration and disappointment. Joanna Cherry, who resigned from the party’s ruling body in 2026 citing transparency concerns and later left the party entirely, said she felt “ashamed” and would only consider rejoining if there were new leadership. She described the recent disclosures as merely the “tip of the iceberg” and warned of a wider culture of secrecy and mismanagement during the Sturgeon era.
Another former member, ex-treasurer Douglas Chapman, also raised governance concerns when he stepped down. Mr Swinney said he has not personally reached out to those former colleagues, emphasizing that his duty is to serve the party by driving the governance reforms he believes are necessary.
What changes are being promised
The First Minister stressed the need for concrete improvements in party governance and higher standards of financial oversight. While he declined to support a parliamentary probe, Swinney has committed to internal reforms designed to strengthen accountability, tighten controls and increase transparency in financial management.
As the party prepares for sentencing and the public digests the implications, the debate will continue over whether internal changes will be sufficient to restore trust or whether broader, independent reviews are still warranted. The SNP has been asked for further comment as members and observers await the outcome of both legal proceedings and internal reforms.
