Dundee-born Murray Foote named as new SNP chief executive

The former newspaper editor makes a dramatic return to the party months after quitting in a row under previous boss Peter Murrell.

By Andy Philip

August 23 2023, 2:06pm

Murray Foote takes over as boss of SNP HQ. Image: Supplied by Progress Scotland.

Murray Foote has been named as the SNP’s new chief executive five months after he quit as the party’s head of communication.

Mr Foote, from Dundee, is a former newspaper editor who published the front-page Vow of more powers in the final days of the independence referendum campaign.

He went on to join the SNP and lead the party’s media team under Nicola Sturgeon.

Announcing his return to the fold, Mr Foote said: “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.”

Remarkable return

It is a remarkable turn of fortunes for a man who quit the party’s media team earlier this year.

During the leadership contest in February, he was caught in a row over the true level of SNP membership.

He branded claims of a big drop as “drivel” – until it turned out to be true.

Mr Foote said he was fed incorrect information from party HQ, which was led by Nicola Sturgeon’s husband, Peter Murrell. He resigned in March.

Peter Murrell and Nicola Sturgeon. Image: PA.

Mr Murrell quit the following day and in another dramatic development was questioned by police as part of an ongoing probe of party finances.

During the messy fall-out, senior SNP figures including Ian Blackford said the party “needs him”.

Mr Foote, popular across the political divide, describes himself as a proud Dundonian, and is a committed Dundee Utd supporter.

In May, he wrote in the Daily Record about the party’s troubles.

He predicted there may be no charges in the financial probe which saw Ms Sturgeon, her husband and former treasure Colin Beattie questioned.

Offering his own insight, Mr Foote wrote: “What I do know, however, is something of the character of the two men arrested to date and, in Peter Murrell and Colin Beattie, two less likely master criminals you will struggle to meet.”

“It is inconceivable to me that Peter would so much as consider doing something dodgy lest it rebound and put his wife in jeopardy.”