Former Scottish National Party (SNP) chief executive 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 between 2010 and 2022. Investigators found he used party funds to purchase luxury and personal items, including a motorhome, vehicles, jewellery, household goods, cosmetics, electronics and other personal expenses.
Delivering the sentence, Judge Lord Young described the offences as a “calculated crime of dishonesty,” noting that Murrell went to significant lengths to conceal the thefts through charge cards, bank transfers and false invoices. The judge said no clear motive for the crimes had been identified and stressed that the punishment should serve as a warning to senior officials entrusted with managing large organisations.
Murrell’s lawyer told the court that his client accepted full responsibility, expressed remorse and acknowledged the financial and psychological damage caused to the SNP. He said Murrell had suffered public humiliation and lived largely in isolation following his arrest.
The fraud was uncovered during a wider Police Scotland investigation into the SNP’s finances, which began after concerns were raised over funds collected for a future Scottish independence referendum campaign.
Among the most notable purchases was a luxury motorhome worth more than £124,000, bought entirely with party money. Investigators also discovered spending on high-end appliances, gardening equipment, jewellery and numerous personal items.
Murrell, who was remanded in custody after pleading guilty in May, will be eligible for parole after serving half of his sentence. A proceeds-of-crime hearing is scheduled for September as authorities seek to recover the stolen funds, while the SNP is also pursuing compensation.
