Scottish ministers have been advised by the Crown Office, under the leadership of outgoing Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain, KC, to refrain from making public comments regarding the Peter Murrell scandal until after his sentencing. This recommendation aims to prevent any perception of political pressure surrounding the case. Although Murrell's conviction has rendered the proceedings no longer 'live' for media reporting under the Contempt of Court Act, the Crown Office believes that any public commentary from political figures could still be seen as 'sub judice' and should be avoided. Scottish Tory justice spokesman Stephen Kerr expressed criticism towards the Scottish National Party (SNP), arguing that they are using procedural tactics to evade providing clear answers to the public. He described the situation as unsatisfactory, suggesting that the public deserves transparency. This guidance from the Crown Office is surprising, as judges are typically trained to base their decisions solely on evidence, which generally allows for more public discourse when no jury is involved. A spokesperson for the Crown Office reiterated that the restrictions imposed by the Contempt of Court Act 1981 remain applicable until Murrell's sentencing.