The Lord Advocate must urgently tell parliament why she tipped off John Swinney about details of the criminal charges against former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell, the Scottish Conservatives have demanded.
Today’s Scottish Sun reports that Scotland’s top law officer, Dorothy Bain, told the First Minister the exact sum Nicola Sturgeon’s estranged husband is accused of embezzling from the SNP – 33 days before it was publicly revealed.
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay says the Lord Advocate must outline why Swinney was given a “detailed private briefing”, especially in light of the postponement of Murrell’s latest hearing until after May’s election.
SNP minister Graeme Dey was adamant in parliament yesterday that there was no Scottish Government involvement in the Crown Office’s decision to delay the hearing, which had originally been scheduled for this Friday.
Scottish Conservative MSP Douglas Ross has today submitted an urgent question with the Presiding Officer on the Sun’s latest revelations, and the party has also submitted a ministerial statement request.
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said: “The Lord Advocate must spell out why she felt it was right to tip off John Swinney about details of charges against Nicola Sturgeon’s husband.
“Why were the public kept in the dark while John Swinney was given a detailed private briefing which he then shared with civil servants and SNP spin doctors?
“An SNP minister has already denied any government meddling around delays to the case, but these new revelations will only fuel public suspicion and concern.
“That’s why the Lord Advocate must come to Holyrood and provide a full explanation as a matter of urgency.”