The 58-year-old, who is one-half of Scotland’s power couple, stated that his future had become a “distraction” from the current leadership race after a damaging secrecy row disclosed a sharp decline in membership numbers.
In response to a vote of no confidence, the chief executive of the Scottish National Party has resigned with immediate effect.
Peter Murrell, who is married to Nicola Sturgeon, stated that his future had become a “distraction” in the current race to replace his wife as SNP leader and first minister in the wake of a devastating secrecy scandal.
His precipitous departure after more than two decades in the position follows the resignation of the party’s communications director on Friday, following revelations that he provided a journalist with false membership numbers.
Murray Foote was instructed to refute reports that the party had lost 30,000 members, labeling them as “inaccurate” and “nonsense.”
The party was compelled to affirm the significant decline in paid-up support in response to claims that the leadership process was being undermined by a refusal to release membership data and demands from candidates.
As of February 15 of this year, enrollment was 72,186, down from 103,887 in 2021.
Before Mr. Murrell’s announcement, a senior SNP official said, “The buck stops with Peter.” He shouldn’t have blamed a lowly employee.”
The national executive committee of the party is believed to have given Mr. Murrell an ultimatum regarding his exit strategy. Disclose a plan to resign today or face a vote of no confidence.
Earlier, SNP candidate for leadership Kate Forbes acknowledged “extraordinary turmoil” within the party.
Mr. Murrell, 58, had already been accused of a “conflict of interest” for his involvement in the contest to select his wife’s successor and there were concerns about the election’s legitimacy.
“As chief executive, I am responsible for the SNP’s responses to media inquiries about our membership count,” Murrell said.
“Although there was no intent to mislead, I acknowledge that this was the result. Therefore, I have decided to affirm my intention to resign as CEO with immediate effect.
“I had not intended to disclose this decision before the leadership election”.
However, to focus on Scotland’s future, I’ve resigned immediately.
“The election campaign is being managed by the national secretary, and I have never played a role in it.”
“I have worked for independence my entire life and will continue to do so. Albeit in a different capacity,” he said.
Ms. Sturgeon told: “He has accepted responsibility for the recent membership issue.
I think he’s right to retire now.
“Peter has been an integral part of our electoral success in recent years,” she said.
Ms. Forbes, Ash Regan, and Humza Yousaf are vying to replace Ms. Sturgeon as SNP leader and prime minister.
Ms. Regan stated, “Eight years ago, it was untenable for the CEO to be the spouse of the party leader.
“It is heartening to see the democratic foundations of the party asserting their proper role.”
Mr. Yousaf, who is widely regarded as the frontrunner for the party’s top position, stated, “Peter Murrell has been an outstanding servant to the independence movement and the SNP.”
“I concur with Peter that it is time for him to step aside and make way for a new leader to appoint a new chief executive who is as committed to the SNP and the cause of independence as he has been.
“With less than ten days remaining in this leadership contest. So it is crucial that we all concentrate on our policies and vision for the party, the movement, and the nation.”
Political opponents of the SNP noted that the party’s finances are still being investigated.
“A fish rots from the head down, and so does the SNP,” said Scottish Conservative chairman Craig Hoy MSP.
Jackie Baillie, the deputy leader of the Scottish Labour Party, stated. “This latest resignation of a top SNP official demonstrates that the SNP has lost its footing.”
