Lord Jack McConnell has called for a joint inquiry by the Commons Public Accounts Committee and its Holyrood equivalent into the embezzlement of SNP funds by Peter Murrell.

Murrell, the former SNP chief executive and estranged husband of Nicola Sturgeon, pleaded guilty at the High Court in Edinburgh to taking £400,310.65 between 2010 and 2022.

McConnell, who served as Scottish first minister from 2001 to 2007, said the matter raises UK-wide questions about political party funding, public money, and the transparency of small donations.

He said the Public Accounts Committee should lead the inquiry jointly with the Scottish Parliament committee to avoid any perception of interference by Westminster.

McConnell said the purpose of such an inquiry should be to produce recommendations that prevent similar incidents in any political party.

First Minister John Swinney has rejected calls for a Holyrood inquiry. The Westminster Scottish Affairs Committee is considering its own probe, with eight of its eleven members in support.