Former SNP chief executive starts prison sentence after embezzling £400,000
Peter Murrell, the estranged ex-husband of former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, began his prison sentence today as prosecutors released a detailed catalogue of evidence showing the extravagant items he purchased with SNP funds over 12 years. The 61-year-old, who served as SNP chief executive from 2001 to 2023, was convicted of embezzling £400,000 from the party between 2010 and 2022.
Murrell was sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh. The Crown Office released images of numerous luxury goods, household items, and a motorhome purchased using SNP charge cards, including those of two other staff members. The evidence highlights how Murrell misappropriated funds for personal gain.
Luxury watches disguised as 'event merchandise'
Among the most notable purchases were two high-end watches from CW Sellors Jura. On 8 June 2017, Murrell bought a white Bremont watch for £4,555.25, and on 12 July 2017, a black Bremont watch for £4,795. Both transactions were recorded on the SNP's accounting software as 'event merchandise'. The watches were later found by police during a search of party headquarters in April 2023.
In November 2017, Murrell purchased a travel watch roll from Smythson for £332, recorded as 'staff expenses' under the code 'Double Tree The Glasgow City Hotel'. He also bought an OXO Good Grips 2-piece silicone egg poacher set on 7 July 2020 for £23.98, which was logged as 'computer hardware purchases' and described as 'Ethernet cabling'.
Extensive list of luxury and everyday items
The catalogue of items includes a £124,550 motorhome, a robotic mower for £3,070, a wine coaster for £3,500, and a tea set from Smythson costing £2,396. Other high-value purchases include a Jura bean-to-coffee machine for £3,231.90, a Montblanc yellow gold fountain pen for £2,137, and an oyster jewelry box from Smythson for £2,495.
Everyday items were also bought with party funds, such as Molton Brown Rhubarb & Rose Hand Cream for £10, a Le Creuset tea kettle for £85.24, and a Dyson SV12 vacuum for £499.99. The Crown noted that many inexpensive purchases, like cleaning products and batteries, were mixed with luxury goods from retailers like Smythson and Montblanc.
Prosecutors detail pattern of fraudulent spending
A Crown Office statement said: 'The accused made two purchases from CW Sellors Jura watches using £9,350.25 of SNP funds.' The statement also highlighted the mislabeling of transactions, such as the egg poacher set being recorded as computer hardware. The Crown added: 'Many of the items purchased, particularly from Amazon, were inexpensive articles for everyday living such as cleaning products and batteries. Others were expensive items from luxury retailers. There were a significant number of purchases of kitchenware and food/beverage related items, items for gardening, watches, clothing and leisure goods such as books, DVDs and video games and consoles.'
Impact on SNP and public trust
Murrell's embezzlement has dealt a significant blow to the SNP's reputation, occurring during Sturgeon's tenure as First Minister. The case has raised questions about financial oversight within the party. More than 100 pages of court documents detail the hundreds of items Murrell bought over 12 years, with police seizing evidence from party headquarters and his home.
