SNP Appoints Murray Foote as new Chief Executive

The SNP has appointed former Daily Record Editor Murray Foote as its new Chief Executive.

The move comes just 5 months after the former SNP head of communications stepped down after being misled over membership figures will return to the party as its chief executive.

Foote left the post earlier this year after being given false information by his predecessor Peter Murrell to provide to the media, suggesting the party's membership was more than 100,000, when it was really around 72,000.

Mr Murrell - the husband of former first minister Nicola Sturgeon - also resigned in response to the scandal, before being arrested the following month in relation to the probe into the party's finances and released without charge pending further investigation.

SNP leader Humza Yousaf said "Murray will bring a great wealth of experience and talent to the role".

"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."

SNP Business Convener, Kirsten Oswald MP described him as “an exceptional candidate in a strong field. His managerial experience and skills will enable him to hit the ground running in delivering for SNP members, including leading changes in governance and transparency in party headquarters."

Foote says he's “delighted" to take on the role, and that he looks 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."

A Scottish Conservative spokesperson said: “So much for change. The discredited SNP are merely reshuffling the same people into different posts.

“Now the man Peter Murrell lied to about SNP membership figures, causing them both to quit their posts, has replaced him as chief executive.

“Nicola Sturgeon and her husband may be in the background but their top team are still running the show in the party under Humza Yousaf.

"Humza Yousaf [is] desperately trying to get the band back together ahead of what could be their farewell tour."

Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie has described Foote as "just the latest continuity candidate to be brought back by Humza Yousaf who is desperately trying to get the band back together ahead of what could be their farewell tour."

“Presented with the chance of a fresh start for the SNP after years of secrecy, Humza Yousaf has instead appointed Murray Foote as the successor to the beleaguered Peter Murrell.

Mr Foote will take up his appointment on Monday.