SNP chief set to face further questions in Salmond inquiry
The chief executive of the SNP i s l i ke l y to b e c a l l e d to f a c e further questions from MSPS probing the Scottish Governme n t ’s h a n d l i n g o f h a r a s s - ment complaints against former first minister Alex S almond after ‘contradictory’ evidence at his first appearance.
Peter Murrell, who is marr i e d t o t h e S N P l e a d e r a n d Fi r s t Mi n i s t e r N i c o l a S t u r - geon, appeared in front of the inquiry yesterday.
However, he looks set to be called to give evidence again after what was described as a “squirming p erformance” i nvo l v i n g “h a l f- t r u t h s a n d untruths”.
I t i s u n d e r s t o o d h e may appear ahead of Ms Sturgeon who is likely to be called to give her evidence in the new year and the decision follows calls from opposition members of the committee unhappy at the credibility and quality of his evidence.
Particular attention will be taken of Mr Murrell’s deni - al of his use of the messag - ing app Whatsapp which the S c o t t i s h S u n r e p o r t e d wa s inconsistent with an account found under his mobile number which was used as recently as November.
The Scottish Conser vative’s Murdo Fraser, who sits on the committee, labelled Mr Murrell’s evidence session “shambolic” and “sleekit”.
H e s a i d : “I n a s h a m b o l i c evidence session, Peter Murr e l l mana g e d t o c o n t r a d i c t not only Nicola Sturgeon but himself, all in the space of a few hours.his answers were sleekit from start to finish. One minute he was in the house for a crunch showdown with Alex Salmond, then he wasn’t. He knew about the meeting beforehand, then he didn’t.
“He told the committee he is one of the few people not to have Whatsapp – only for it to emerge he used it a few weeks ago.
“H e t i e d h i ms e l f i n k n o t s a n s w e r i n g t h e s i m p l e s t o f q u e s t i o n s a n d s p o k e i n riddles.
“T h e S N P c h i e f e xe c u t ive must return to the committee to clear up the contradictions in his evidence and this time, provide entirely truthful answers.”
S c o t t i s h L a b o u r d e p u t y leader and committee member Jackie Baillie said: “Peter Murrell must explain the contradictions and discrepancies in his evidence to the Committee yesterday as a matter of urgency.”