Two members of the SNP's finance and audit committee resigned in 2021, saying they were deliberately blocked and intimidated when they tried to examine party accounts. Their concerns preceded the conviction of former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell, who admitted stealing more than £400,000 over 12 years and was jailed. Leaked footage of Nicola Sturgeon downplaying financial worries and the findings of Operation Branchform have intensified scrutiny of the party's governance.
SNP Whistleblowers Say They Were Intimidated After Raising Finance Concerns — Former CEO Jailed
Cynthia Guthrie and Allison Graham quit the SNP's finance committee over their concerns [BBC]
Two members of the Scottish National Party's finance and audit committee say they were intimidated and obstructed when they tried to investigate the party's accounts in early 2021. Allison Graham and Cynthia Guthrie resigned from the committee after six weeks, joined by fellow member Frank Ross, saying they were repeatedly denied the basic information needed to do their jobs.
Nicola Sturgeon and Peter Murrell announced last year that they had separated [Getty Images]
Blocked Requests and a Joint Resignation
In a joint statement read at an online national executive committee (NEC) meeting in March 2021, the three said they had been given "inadequate" information and that the CEO, Peter Murrell, "obviously procrastinated" in providing requested documents. The statement concluded: "We can only conclude that there is a clear intention to prevent the FAC from doing its work for whatever reason." Committee members said they were "stonewalled" and met with distraction and filibustering when seeking clarity on membership numbers and account figures.
Allison Graham said their questions about the party's finances were "stonewalled" [BBC]
Allegations of Poor Governance
Graham and Guthrie described the party's financial management as "chaotic" and "incompetent." At their first meeting in February 2021 they were shown figures from the previous year that Graham said "didn't add up" and were out by £1.51m. They also complained that NEC meetings often felt deferential to senior figures, making it hard to question leadership decisions.
Cynthia Guthrie said there should be an inquiry into Murrell's crimes [BBC]
"I had no faith in any of the numbers I was shown, because once people lie to you about one thing, you start to question and want more evidence." — Allison Graham
Leaked Footage and Public Fallout
Leaked footage later published by the Sunday Mail showed Nicola Sturgeon, then SNP leader, telling colleagues: "We have never been in a stronger financial position than we are right now" and warning against suggesting there were problems because the party depended on donors. Graham said she was publicly criticised at the meeting and that the online chat was flooded with supportive messages for her critic, including one from Sturgeon that read: "Well said." When the meeting video was later leaked, Graham said she received abuse and found the experience "really intimidating."
John Swinney said the SNP was the victim of Murrell's embezzlement [PA Media]
Criminal Investigation and Conviction
Police investigated the party's finances under Operation Branchform. Peter Murrell has since admitted embezzling more than £400,000 from the SNP over a 12-year period and was sentenced to five years and three months in prison. Investigators found thefts spanning roughly 2010 to 2022. Murrell used the funds to buy items including cars, a motorhome and household goods.
Leadership Response and Ongoing Scrutiny
Nicola Sturgeon — party leader from 2014 to 2023 — was interviewed by police but was not charged. She has consistently denied any knowledge of Murrell's wrongdoing and said she was "shocked" when police raided her home in 2023. At First Minister's Questions, John Swinney called the SNP a victim of the embezzlement and apologised to members while rejecting calls for a separate parliamentary inquiry, saying it would add little beyond the police probe.
Guthrie and Graham said the party's lack of governance, curiosity and internal controls allowed Murrell's crimes to continue. The SNP and Nicola Sturgeon have been approached for comment.
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