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Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain Told Swinney of Murrell Charge Nearly a Year Ago
Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain informed First Minister John Swinney in March 2025 of Peter Murrell’s embezzlement charge involving over £460,000, a year before it was made public.
- Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain informed First Minister John Swinney on March 20, 2025 that Peter Murrell was charged with embezzling over £460,000, updating him on Operation Branchform.
- Explaining the move, Dorothy Bain KC, Lord Advocate, wrote that the briefing protected proceedings and reminded ministers not to comment on live cases, citing UK and Commonwealth practice.
- The information was not publicly reported until February 12, 2026, despite a March 20, 2025, minute predating the January 19, 2026, memo; Bain supplied a dossier of nearly 30 cases to the Scottish Government.
- Scottish Labour and Conservatives demanded answers and investigations, saying the briefing suggested a political advantage and calling for Lord Advocate role split and ministerial code probes.
- The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service said prosecutors acted independently and in accordance with legal duties as Murrell is due for a preliminary hearing on May 25, 2026 at the High Court in Edinburgh.
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John Swinney was tipped off about Peter Murrell embezzlement figure a YEAR ago by the Lord Advocate - Scottish Daily Express
Dorothy Bain finally supplied the evidence that she does semi-regularly send briefings to the First Minister about ongoing court cases to keep him informed and stop him committing contempt of court.
Coverage Details
Total News Sources14
Leaning Left4Leaning Right3Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution42% Center
Bias Distribution
- 42% of the sources are Center
42% Center
L 33%
C 42%
R 25%
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