Lies and corruption....how do we move forwards?

Lies and corruption....how do we move forwards?

From The Lesley Riddoch Podcast by Lesley Riddoch and Fraser Thompson

May 26, 2026 · 29 min · Episode 930

About this episode

Lesley and Fraser discuss the implications of Peter Murrell's guilty plea for the SNP and the independence movement.

So much for the week off. Fraser and Lesley rush to the microphones for an unexpected, emergency podcast following Peter Murrell's guilty plea in Edinburgh. With Lesley literally broadcasting from a hotel car park in Wick on her way to the mass rally outside Holyrood, we unpack what this catastrophic pivot moment means for the SNP and the wider independence movement. In this episode, we discuss: The "Smoke-Filled Room": Why did the party choose to ignore the glaringly obvious warning signs for so long? * The Closed-Shop Legacy: Reflecting on the Sturgeon-Murrell era and how internal critics like Joanna Cherry and Douglas Chapman were sidelined. Corporate Festival vs. Grassroots Campaigning: How the party tilt shifted toward "Heathrow Lounges" and away from its own members. Taking Back the Mojo: Why the Yes movement needs to become a self-organising, self-authorising force rather than waiting on a nod from ANY party HQ. ★ Support this podcast ★

People in this episode

Hosts: Lesley Riddoch, Fraser Thompson

Topics covered

  • SNP
  • independence movement
  • political corruption
  • internal party dynamics
  • grassroots campaigning
  • leadership changes

Keywords

  • Peter Murrell
  • SNP
  • independence
  • politics
  • corruption
  • grassroots
  • leadership
  • Holyrood

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: SNP

Places: Edinburgh, Wick, Holyrood

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