Peter Murrell scandal 'embarrassing internationally' for Scotland, says former first minister

The Peter Murrell scandal is “embarrassing internationally” for Scotland, according to former first minister Lord Jack McConnell.

Lord McConnell said some politicians have been “too defensive” on the scandal over the past week, and reiterated his call for there to be a joint Westminster-Holyrood inquiry into the matter.

He made the comments less than half a mile away from the court in Edinburgh where Murrell was appearing after admitting embezzling £400,000 from the SNP.

The money was spent on over 1,000 different purchases, including a range of luxury goods and a £125,000 motorhome.

In the wake of the scandal, there have been multiple calls for an inquiry in both Holyrood and Westminster into the matter - however so far First Minister John Swinney has rejected calls for such an inquiry at the Scottish Parliament.

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Lord McConnell says there needs to be an inquiry as the scandal has damaged Scotland’s reputation globally.

Speaking at the Scotland 2050 conference, which was sponsored by The Scotsman, Lord McConnell said: “On John [Swinney’s] position, I understand, believe me I understand, the expected reaction is to be defensive in these kinds of situations. I was through a lot of them over the years.

“But I do think there are times when you need to set that aside and think about how this is coming across.

“This is embarrassing internationally for us now, and we need to take it seriously.

“The point here is the reputation of Scotland globally, and I would welcome a bit of rethinking at this time.”

He believes Westminster and Holyrood should work together on a parliamentary inquiry into the Murrell scandal, and said Presiding Officer Kenny Gibson and Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle should get together to discuss how this would work.

Lord McConnell said: “I don’t mind who talks first, I just hope there will be some movement.

“The two parliaments have toyed with working together over the years, but they’ve never actually done that in a significant way - this could be the moment to do that.”

He believes a quick parliamentary inquiry should begin within the year.

Lord McConnell added: “There is a genuine issue across all politics in the UK, in fact in almost all the developed democracies of the world, that there is a mistrust based on the idea that there is one rule for them and one rule for us.

“That’s felt deeply by the population and I think the past week in Scotland demands a response from politicians.

“That’s why I have suggested we knock our heads together for the first time since devolution and hold a joint parliamentary inquiry that toughens up the management and regulations around political party funding.

“I do think parliamentarians have a duty to try and ensure that politics and the reputation of government is better,”

Murrell is due to be sentenced on June 23. While there are no specific sentencing guidelines for embezzlement in Scotland, many commentators have suggested he will receive a lengthy prison sentence for his crimes.