Murray Foote named SNP’s new chief govt after resignation of Nicola Sturgeon’s husband Peter Murrell
The SNP’s former spin physician who stepped down after being misled over membership figures will return to the celebration as its chief govt.
Murray Foote left his head of communications put up earlier this yr after being given deceptive info by then-SNP chief govt Peter Murrell to offer to the media, suggesting the celebration’s membership was greater than 100,000, when it was actually round 72,000.
Mr Murrell – the husband of former first minister Nicola Sturgeon – additionally resigned in response to the scandal, earlier than being arrested the next month in relation to the police probe into the celebration’s funds. He was launched with out cost pending additional investigation.
Mr Foote, a former editor of the Daily Record, mentioned he was “delighted” to take up the function of SNP chief govt, including that he was trying ahead “to helping build the campaign for independence”.
He was the SNP’s head of communication and analysis at Holyrood from February 2020 to March 2023 earlier than stepping down from that role amid the row over celebration membership numbers.
Murray Foote is the SNP’s new chief govt. Pic: Progress Scotland
Although initially branding the news studies as “drivel”, it will definitely emerged that the SNP had lost around 30,000 party members since 2021.
Mr Foote mentioned he acted in “good faith” when issuing agreed celebration responses to media inquiries.
Mr Murrell shouldered the blame and resigned as chief executive after greater than twenty years on the helm of the celebration.
At the time, he mentioned: “While there was no intent to mislead, I accept that this has been the outcome.”
Mr Murrell, Ms Sturgeon and ex-party treasurer Colin Beattie have every been arrested and launched with out cost amid a police probe into the SNP’s funding and finances.
Nicola Sturgeon advised reporters the SNP was her
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The SNP mentioned Mr Foote’s appointment adopted the conclusion of a “rigorous, open recruitment process” that “generated significant interest from a range of high-quality candidates”.
Kirsten Oswald MP, SNP enterprise convener, mentioned: “Murray was an exceptional candidate in a strong field.
“His managerial expertise and expertise will allow him to hit the bottom operating in delivering for SNP members, together with main adjustments in governance and transparency in celebration headquarters.”
Mr Foote will take up his appointment on Monday.