Peter Murrell embezzling scandal branded the 'biggest cover-up in Scottish political history' – 'Stinks to high heaven!'

Peter Murrell's embezzling scandal has been branded the "biggest political cover-up in Scottish history" in a scathing attack by Piers Pottinger.

Speaking to GB News, the political commentator tore into the former Scottish National Party chief executive after embezzling £400,000 from the party, declaring the scandal "stinks to high heaven".

Mr Pottinger argued: "We've known for a long time that he had his fingers, and in fact his whole hands, in every till.

"What I think people are missing here is this is the biggest political cover up in Scottish political history, what is going on now?"

Mr Pottinger predicted that Mr Murrell could receive a "much lesser sentence" than the maximum seven-year term he could be given.

He argued: "He pleaded guilty, which means he there's no trial, there's no proper questioning of him.

"Next week there's an incredible hearing where the narrative, as they call it, an agreed narrative between the prosecution and defence will be read out in court, and then a few weeks later he will be sentenced, I imagine to much less than the maximum seven years which he could get. I'm sure there's a deal being done."

The political commentator point out the most "sinister" element of the scandal, within the SNP.

Mr Pottinger told GB News: "What is sinister is that a minister in the Scottish National Party is the head of the prosecution service.

"And why was this announcement and this court hearing moved until after the local elections? Everything about this is political. Everything about it stinks to high heaven."

He called for First Minister John Swinney to resign over his "refusal" to apologise and take accountability.

Mr Pottinger stated: "John Swinney, the person who appointed Murrell himself has has failed to apologise. When asked in a press conference yesterday several times to apologise, he refused.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

• Nicola Sturgeon scolded over 'gobsmacking' SNP embezzling scandal: 'Serious questions to answer!'
• Nicola Sturgeon urged to 'come clean on exactly what she knew' about Peter Murrell's £400k splurge
• John Swinney apologises for ‘overwhelming betrayal’ by Peter Murrell in £400K embezzlement scandal

"He should resign. I believe for once the Scottish people will wake up and stop this ghastly Scottish National Party dead in its tracks. Swinney has to go and we need proper accountability."

In a direct warning to Mr Swinney, Mr Pottiner declared: "It is no good John Swinney trying to hide and do this 'oh, I was horrified, I'm a victim, it's terrible'.

"No, mate, you're accountable. You're responsible to the Scottish people, and your day of reckoning is coming. This is the end for John Swinney."

Mr Pottinger accused the SNP of causing a "huge amount of damage" to the people of Scotland with various factors, including with drug use and crime rates.

He said: "Hopefully the Scottish people will see sense and stop voting for these corrupt and very, very dangerous people. They've done a huge amount of damage to Scotland.

"Education has collapsed in terms of quality, crime rates have soared, Edinburgh's the drugs capital of Europe, and it's a nightmare scenario, the economy is the worst in the country.

"People pay more tax than any other part of the United Kingdom, and it is a United Kingdom by the way. What they've done to Scotland has been dreadful."

In a statement via her lawyers, Ms Sturgeon has said: "I have seen questions raised about how I could not have known about this. I want to reiterate that I had no knowledge or suspicion whatsoever that personal items had been purchased using SNP funds.

"I was cleared of any wrongdoing after a lengthy and thorough investigation. In relation to many of the items in question, for example expensive watches and games consoles, I was not aware of them having been purchased at all."