Peter Murrell, the former chief executive of the Scottish National Party (SNP), purchased a luxury motorhome using stolen party funds, yet the vehicle was driven only four miles and remained unused for more than two years, the High Court in Edinburgh heard on Tuesday.
Details of the case
Murrell, who is the estranged husband of former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, bought the £124,550 Niesmann+Bischoff motorhome in January 2021. He drove it from the dealership in Halbeath, Fife, to his mother's home in Dunfermline, a distance of just four miles, costing the SNP £31,138 per mile. The vehicle was then parked at his mother's property until it was seized by police in April 2023.
Prosecutor Alan Campbell KC told the court that Murrell lied about the motorhome in party records, describing it as a van on a faked invoice. He also stocked the vehicle with hundreds of pounds worth of luxury goods, including Le Creuset and Joseph Joseph kitchenware, an Alessi teapot, and Molton Brown toiletries. Additionally, Murrell embezzled SNP funds to purchase motoring guides for 'inspirational journeys' across Scotland, England, Wales, and Ireland.
Embezzlement over 12 years
Murrell pleaded guilty last week to embezzling a total of £400,310.65 from the SNP over a 12-year period. The court heard that he had complete control over the party's books and accounts, allowing him to disguise his purchases. He created false invoices, used incorrect accounting codes, and made direct transfers from party accounts. He also used his own SNP charge card and those of two employees without their knowledge.
Examples of fraudulent transactions include:
- A £3,500 silver wine coaster from Hamilton & Inches described as 'leadership expenses'.
- A £23 egg poacher listed as 'computer hardware purchases – internet cabling'.
- An £81,000 Jaguar I-Pace SUV identified as a 'stage payment' on a fake invoice.
- A £3,070 robotic Husqvarna lawnmower, found at his home, listed as 'legal fees'.
Murrell's embezzlement escalated over time, reaching nearly £50,000 per year in 2016 and 2017, rising to almost £100,000 in 2019, and peaking at £150,000 in 2020, largely due to the motorhome purchase.
Sturgeon's knowledge questioned
The motorhome has become symbolic of Murrell's greed and has raised questions about how much Nicola Sturgeon knew. In a BBC interview on Sunday, Sturgeon denied noticing the vehicle when visiting her mother-in-law's home, stating it was parked between the house and a neighbour's property. She said she had no conscious memory of seeing it and assumed it belonged to the neighbour.
Campbell told the judge that Murrell also withheld the motorhome from party staff. He claimed it was bought for use as a mobile campaign headquarters during the Covid crisis, but police found no SNP campaign material inside. Murrell is expected to be sentenced on 23 June and faces imprisonment.
