Former chief executive of the Scottish National Party (SNP), Peter Murrell, has been sentenced to five years and three months in prison after admitting to embezzling more than £400,000 from the party over a 12-year period.
Murrell, 61, pleaded guilty to stealing £400,310.65 from the SNP between 2010 and 2022, using party funds to finance a lavish lifestyle that included the purchase of a luxury motorhome, vehicles, jewellery, household goods, cosmetics, electronics and other personal expenses.
Delivering judgement, Judge Lord Young described the offences as a “calculated crime of dishonesty,” noting that Murrell employed multiple methods to conceal the thefts, including charge cards, bank transfers and false invoices.
The judge said no clear motive had been established for the crimes but stressed that the sentence should serve as a warning to senior officials entrusted with managing large organisations and public funds.
Murrell’s lawyer told the court that his client had accepted full responsibility for his actions and expressed remorse for the damage caused to the party.
According to the defence, Murrell acknowledged both the financial and psychological impact of his conduct on the SNP and had endured significant public humiliation while living largely in isolation since his arrest.
The fraud was uncovered during a wider investigation by Police Scotland into the finances of the SNP after concerns were raised about funds collected for a future Scottish independence referendum campaign.
Investigators revealed that one of the most notable purchases made with party funds was a luxury motorhome valued at more than £124,000. The probe also uncovered spending on high-end appliances, gardening equipment, jewellery and numerous personal items.
Murrell was remanded in custody after pleading guilty in May and will become eligible for parole after serving half of his sentence.
A proceeds-of-crime hearing has been scheduled for September as authorities seek to recover the stolen funds. The SNP is also pursuing compensation in connection with the losses suffered by the party.
