Former SNP Chief Executive Jailed for Embezzling More Than £400,000 from Party Funds

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 party funds over a period spanning 12 years.

Murrell, 61, pleaded guilty to stealing £400,310.65 from the SNP between 2010 and 2022. The court heard that he diverted party money to finance a lavish lifestyle, purchasing luxury and personal items ranging from a high-end motorhome and vehicles to jewellery, electronics, cosmetics and household goods.

Handing down the sentence, Lord Young described the offences as a “calculated crime of dishonesty”, saying Murrell had systematically abused a position of trust within one of Scotland’s most prominent political parties.

The judge noted that the former SNP executive went to considerable lengths to conceal the fraud, using charge cards, bank transfers and false invoices to disguise the transactions. He added that no clear motive had emerged for the offending but stressed that the sentence should serve as a deterrent to senior officials entrusted with managing public and organisational funds.

Murrell’s defence team told the court that he had accepted full responsibility for his actions and expressed deep remorse for the damage caused to the SNP. His lawyer said the former party executive had endured significant public humiliation and had largely withdrawn from public life since his arrest.

The fraud came to light during a wider Police Scotland investigation into the SNP’s finances. The probe was launched following concerns over money raised to support a future Scottish independence referendum campaign.

Among the most striking purchases uncovered by investigators was a luxury motorhome worth more than £124,000, paid for entirely with party funds. Detectives also identified spending on expensive household appliances, gardening equipment, jewellery and a range of other personal items.

Murrell, who was remanded in custody after entering his guilty plea in May, will become eligible for parole after serving half of his prison term.

A proceeds-of-crime hearing is scheduled for September as authorities seek to recover the stolen funds, while the SNP is also pursuing compensation in an effort to recoup the financial losses suffered by the party.