“Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in!” The SNP has appointed its former head of communications Murray Foote as the party’s new chief executive, the role played until March by Peter Murrell, erstwhile husband of disgraced former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. The former Daily Record editor Foote obviously just couldn’t stay away and will take up the role next Monday.
It comes just months after Foote resigned from the party for denying reports that party membership figures had fallen. Foote suggested the reports from the Sunday Mail that the party’s membership had fallen by 30,000 was “drivel”. It turned out to be true.
On his return, Foote says: “I am delighted to take up this important role and look forward to helping build the campaign for independence, both by strengthening the SNP’s headquarter functions and supporting the party’s formidable organisation across Scotland.”
SNP leader, and First Minister for now, Humza Yousaf was equally enthusiastic: “Murray will bring a great wealth of experience and talent to the role of Chief Exec of the SNP. I’m delighted to have him on board as we look to strengthen SNP HQ, empower our incredible activists across Scotland and build a winning campaign for independence.”
Recently, Foote has been critical of Operation Branchform, Police Scotland’s investigation into £600,000 of missing SNP funds that were supposed to be ring-fenced for a second independence referendum campaign.
Foote, who was responsible for the Daily Record’s influential front page “The Vow” from the Better Together campaign on the eve of the 2014 referendum, wrote in his most recent column: “So, I’m not saying Branchform is a wild goose chase – but what if it is? Surely, it’s worth considering.”
“The use of forensic tents and a whole platoon of plod at the house turned a routine process into a grotesque circus, compounded by the storming of SNP HQ.”
He went on to show his support for Murrell and former treasurer Colin Beattie, both of whom were arrested for questioning before being released: “It is inconceivable to me that Peter would so much as consider doing something dodgy lest it rebound and put his wife in jeopardy. Colin is no-one’s fool. He is a capable, cautious and diligent MSP who values his integrity… So I’m prepared to gamble the Foote £5 on no charges at the end of all this.”
Any other takers for that bet?
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