Ex-SNP chief’s embezzlement scandal and the shady role of money in politics
5/27/202639 min
A Dyson floor lamp, a £4,000 fountain pen, boxsets of Scandi noir TV dramas. These are just a handful of the items that former SNP Chief Executive Peter Murrell purchased with the £400k he embezzled from the party over the course of a decade. The full list is even longer. Murrell has been remanded in custody and likely faces lengthy prison time.
Ever since the eruption of the 2009 MPs’ expenses scandal, there’s been a dark cloud of mistrust over politicians. Yet some politicians still play fast and loose with public trust, morality and transparency.
Today, we discuss the shady world of money in politics. We'll also debate whether MPs ought to have a pay rise - and you might be surprised about the outcome.
Find the best clips from the podcast and more from Helen and Cleo on the show's Instagram page here.
This podcast is part of The Independent Podcast Network and is produced in association with Next Chapter Studios
Executive Producers: Olivia Foster and Carrie Rose
Producer: Sam Durham
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsSpeaker 10:00
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Cleo Watson· Host0:29
[gentle music] A Dyson floor lamp, a 4,000 pound fountain pen, box sets of Scandi noir TV dramas.
Helen MacNamara· Host0:39
These are all things that Peter Murrell, former chief executive of the SNP, and husband of the former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, bought with party funds over the last decade.
Cleo Watson· Host0:48
Oh, Peter. Today, we turn our attention to what happens when money meets politics.
Helen MacNamara· Host0:53
And ask, should MPs get paid more?
Cleo Watson· Host0:56
Time for Helen and I to disagree agreeably, as they say.
Helen MacNamara· Host0:59
Or not, depending on how this show goes. [laughs] I'm Helen McNamara, the former deputy cabinet secretary.
Cleo Watson· Host1:04
And I'm Cleo Watson, a former special advisor in Number 10.
Helen MacNamara· Host1:07
And this is In the Room.
Cleo Watson· Host1:09
[upbeat music] Before we get into it, we'd love it if you followed us on Instagram, where you can find all the best clips of the show. Our handle is @intheroom.pod. You can also watch us on YouTube. We are called In the Room Politics.
Helen MacNamara· Host1:26
And if you've got a burning question, or you just want to send us some fan mail, you can email us