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

The first minister, John Swinney, arriving for a debate on independence for Scotland on Tuesday. Photograph: Jane Barlow/PA

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.