SNP accused of ‘embezzling’ voters over Peter Murrell’s theft of party funds

Scottish National party’s attempt to focus on call for independence referendum overshadowed by embezzlement scandal

The Scottish National party was accused of “embezzling” voters after opposition leaders highlighted the crisis over Peter Murrell’s misuse of £400,000 from party funds.

The scandal over Murrell’s guilty plea on Monday to embezzling £400,310.65 while he was the SNP’s chief executive overshadowed a Holyrood motion tabled by John Swinney to call for a second independence referendum.