Exclusive:More committee members call for Westminster SNP embezzlement inquiry
Lib Dems Susan Murray and Angus MacDonald have said that the committee should have an investigation because “there is more to find out.”
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Two more Scottish Affairs Committee members have said that it should hold an inquiry into Peter Murrell’s embezzlement of SNP funds if Holyrood fails to do so.
Lib Dems Susan Murray and Angus MacDonald have said that the committee should have an investigation because “there is more to find out.”
It comes after Tory Harriet Cross and Labour’s Douglas McAllister said Westminster could step in if Holyrood does not hold a probe.
It means that more than a third of the committee now publicly supports an inquiry.
But it cannot be confirmed whether it will hold one until the House of Commons returns from recess next week.
East Dunbartonshire MP Ms Murray said: “I would agree with [Ms Cross and Mr McAllister]. Members in the SNP have been let down really badly, and yet the party seems to have escaped any association with the wrongdoing by pointing at one person.
“It implies that there is more to find out.
“I think if the Scottish parliament is competent to do it, then that should happen, but if they don't do it, then I would certainly support the Scottish Affairs Committee doing it.”
She continued: “It sounds like that there would probably be a fair amount of agreement that this should be looked into, and it should be a formal inquiry. I think it’s only fair.
“Peter Murrell was very powerful within the party, but he was at the centre of the party for decades, alongside his wife, who was the leader of the party.
“The different roles that they undertook, and their different duties that they had with regards to party funds needs to be clarified, so that people know that they can donate safely in future.
“They have had such strong support in the country, and with that support comes responsibility to act appropriately.”
Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire MP Mr MacDonald said he has written to committee chair, Labour MP Patricia Ferguson, asking to hold an inquiry - if it is within the remit of the committee.
The Scottish Affairs Committee is supposed to scrutinise the work of the UK Government.
But it has been suggested - by Labour MP Mr McAllister - that an inquiry into the SNP could take place because the party has received public funds.
Mr MacDonald said: “I have messaged the committee chair to ask if we can have one.
“I don’t know if it’s within our remit. If it were, I’d be very keen to have an inquiry.
“There needs to be one by somebody.”
There are 11 members on the Scottish affairs committee. Six are Labour, two are Lib Dems, two are Tory and one is SNP.
It comes as SNP First Minister John Swinney has rejected calls for a Holyrood inquiry on the issue.
Former Scottish Affairs Committee chair and sitting SNP MP Pete Wishart said it would not be good for it to hold an inquiry.
He said: “I think it would be a thoroughly bad idea for at the Scottish Affairs Committee to undertake an inquiry into a Scottish political party on an issue that is exclusively a matter for the Scottish Parliament.
“The committee works best when it undertakes inclusive cross party inquiry creating a space where politicians can work in constructive consensus around issues of mutual concern.
“When I assumed the Chair in 2015 I had to work hard to try and restore credibility to the committee after it took a deeply partisan approach to the Scottish Independence referendum.
“Many figures in Scottish civic society and the Scottish Parliament simply refused to engage with the Committee resulting in inquires and reports being less than comprehensive. It took years to rebuild that trust.
“I really hope the committee thinks twice before embarking down that road again.”