Scottish Labour has called for an investigation into whether the Lord Advocate breached the Ministerial Code by sharing information about the prosecution of Peter Murrell with the First Minister before it became public. The issue centres on confirmation that Dorothy Bain KC informed John Swinney in January that the former SNP chief executive had been charged with embezzlement, weeks ahead of the indictment’s public release.
++ Grey’s Anatomy star Eric Dane dies at 53 following ALS diagnosis
Dame Jackie Baillie, Scottish Labour’s deputy leader, has written to the Scottish Government’s Independent Advisers on the Ministerial Code, urging them to consider potential breaches. She raised concerns about whether the disclosure may have provided a political advantage and whether Parliament was misled about the status of the indictment, stressing the constitutional sensitivity of the Lord Advocate’s dual role.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said the sharing of non-public information with the First Minister and SNP advisers did not “sound right”, while maintaining that the integrity of Scotland’s institutions was at stake rather than the interests of individual politicians. The Lord Advocate has denied that the information conferred any political advantage and said she would provide Parliament with further details.
++ Harry Styles faces scrutiny ahead of major comeback
The Crown Office said the case against Peter Murrell remains active and cautioned against commentary that could prejudice the administration of justice. The Scottish Government reiterated its confidence in the Lord Advocate’s independence and conduct, rejecting what it described as baseless allegations. Murrell’s preliminary hearing has been rescheduled for May at the High Court in Edinburgh.
