Peter Murrell, former chief executive of the Scottish National Party (SNP) and husband of ex-first minister Nicola Sturgeon, pleaded guilty to embezzling £400,310.65 from the party's main bank account between 2010 and 2022. The High Court in Edinburgh heard he used fake invoices and false expenses to conceal the spending.
Among the luxury items purchased with party money was a Niesmann and Bischoff Smove 7.4e motorhome costing £124,550, delivered to the home of Murrell's 92-year-old mother. Police seized it in April 2023; the odometer showed just 4 miles. Other purchases included a Jaguar I-Pace (£81,277), a Volkswagen Golf (£16,489), a robotic lawnmower (£3,070), a Celestron telescope (£1,200), designer salt and pepper shakers (£2,600), a book of Nicola Sturgeon's speeches, Bremont watches, Starwalker pens, games consoles, household appliances, clothing and cosmetics.
Sentencing is scheduled for 23 June. The judge described Murrell's actions as a 'gross breach of trust'.