Former SNP Chief Executive Peter Murrell Faces Trial After Pleading Guilty to Embezzlement

Former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell has admitted embezzling £400,310.65 from the Scottish National Party. He is currently facing trial at Edinburgh's High Court for misusing party funds for personal purchases and false expense claims between 2010 and 2022.

Tue Jun 02 2026

Peter Murrell Pleads Guilty to Embezzling SNP Funds

Peter Murrell, the former chief executive of the Scottish National Party (SNP), has pleaded guilty to embezzling £400,310.65 from the party. The admission was made during a hearing at Edinburgh's High Court on May 25, with his trial currently underway. Murrell, 61, who served as the SNP's CEO from 2001 until March 2023, is accused of misusing party funds for unauthorized purposes between August 2010 and October 2022.

Details of Embezzlement and Misused Funds

Murrell allegedly used his control over the party's main bank account to make direct transfers and utilized party charge cards, including those of two other staff members who were unaware of the illicit transactions. The embezzled funds primarily originated from membership fees, donations, and legacies. Purchases made with these funds were often for personal use or for others, including luxury items from brands like Montblanc, Smythson, Dyson, and Le Creuset, as well as appliances and a motorhome. Murrell also made false expense claims, receiving an additional £18,408.91 from the SNP for expenditures he did not incur. The items bought range from everyday essentials like cleaning products and batteries to high-value goods and even a motorhome, which was found to have only been driven 4 miles.

*Source: YouTube: Sky News (2026-06-02)*

Tags: #Scotland #Peter Murrell #SNP #embezzlement #political scandal