Two top government ministers have lent their support to an inquiry into the Scottish National Party (SNP) after its former chief executive, Peter Murrell, admitted to embezzling over £400,000 from the party. This move comes as a significant development in the ongoing scandal that has rocked the SNP's leadership.
Chris Philp, the Shadow Home Secretary, told the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme that there 'should definitely be an inquiry because trust in politics is everything, and if people start to think that politicians are corrupt, then that does undermine trust in politics, and undermines our ability to govern effectively.'
The SNP's leader, Nicola Sturgeon, has thus far refused to apologise for Murrell's actions, sparking further controversy within the party. Sturgeon has maintained that she was not aware of the embezzlement and that Murrell's actions were 'unacceptable.'
The decision to back an inquiry into the SNP has been welcomed by opposition parties, who have long called for greater transparency and accountability within the party. A spokesperson for the Scottish Conservatives said: 'This is a major breakthrough in our campaign to expose the SNP's corrupt culture and bring those responsible to justice.'
The implications of this scandal are far-reaching, with many questioning Sturgeon's leadership and the SNP's ability to effectively govern Scotland. The party's reputation has been severely damaged, and it remains to be seen how the party will recover from this scandal.
As the inquiry gets underway, SNP members will be closely watching to see how the party responds to these allegations. The Scottish Government has been tight-lipped on the matter, with no official comment from First Minister Nicola Sturgeon or other senior figures within the party.