John Swinney blasts 'baseless claims' of SNP 'cover-up' over Peter Murrell's embezzlement crimes

John Swinney has hit back at claims he was involved in an SNP cover-up of Peter Murrell’s crimes, with the First Minister insisting such suggestions are “utterly and totally baseless”.

Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay had accused Swinney of being the “king of the SNP cover-up”.

He raised the issue at Holyrood after former SNP chief executive Murrell – the ex-husband of Nicola Sturgeon – was jailed for five years and three months for embezzling more than 400,000 from the party over a 12-year period.

It came as Cynthia Guthrie, a former member of the SNP’s finance and audit committee, alleged Swinney and Sturgeon were “culpable” for what happened because they misled SNP members and the public.

Another former member of the committee, Allison Graham, said they were “bullied” after raising concerns.

Former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell leaving in a prison van from the High Court in Edinburgh, where he was jailed for five years and three months after he admitted embezzling more than £400,000 from the party. PA Media

Speaking during First Minister’s Questions at Holyrood on Thursday, Findlay said the two women had spoken out but “Nicola Sturgeon ordered them to be quiet”, while “John Swinney assured them there was no problem” and the Scottish Government’s new victims minister, Kirsten Oswald, had “tried to bully these whistleblowers into silence”.

Challenging Swinney on the issue, the Tory leader said: “The truth is Peter Murrell should never have been free to commit these crimes.

“Members of the SNP finance and audit committee blew the whistle but they were bullied into quitting after being refused access to basic information.

“John Swinney twice went on to the BBC to say that his party’s finances were completely sound.

“He was at the heart of the cover-up, then and now, and that is why he is terrified of an inquiry.”

Swinney responded: “The comments Russell Findlay makes about me are baseless, utterly and totally baseless.”

He repeatedly insisted no further investigation is needed into the circumstances surrounding Murrell’s crimes, saying a lengthy police investigation has already taken place.

In a bid to give the Tory “reassurance about the issues which he is concerned”, Swinney said that since taking over as SNP leader he had “addressed the issues in the SNP’s finances, and the SNP has got strong governance in place”.