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Peter Murrell, the former chief executive of the Scottish National Party, has been jailed for five years and three months after a court found he embezzled more than £400,000 from party funds. The conviction, tied to donations intended for the SNP, intensifies scrutiny of the party’s finances and governance.
Sentence and conviction
A sheriff handed down the sentence after jurors concluded Murrell illegally diverted substantial sums from the party over an extended period. He was taken into custody following sentencing and will serve just over five years behind bars.
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Allegations over how funds were spent
Prosecutors said money donated by supporters was used for personal expenditure rather than party activity. According to reporting by The Mirror, purchases linked to Murrell included a luxury motorhome valued at about £124,000, two Montblanc Bohème Noir fountain pens costing £1,407 in total, and two Bremont watches amounting to £9,350.
From party powerhouse to courtroom
Murrell served as the SNP’s chief executive for more than two decades, running many of the party’s operations and campaign efforts. He and former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon were long viewed as one of the party’s most influential pairs.
His career ended abruptly in 2023 when he resigned amid controversy over inaccurate information he had provided to the media about party membership numbers. The couple, who were married for 15 years, later separated in 2025.
In a public statement, Nicola Sturgeon said: “To be deceived and let down by a husband I loved and trusted has caused me acute pain. Why he acted as he did is, and always will be, beyond my comprehension.”
Wider implications for the SNP
The case has prompted calls for clearer financial oversight within the party and will likely shape public and political debate about governance at the SNP. For donors and members, the verdict raises direct concerns about how contributions are handled and monitored.
