Peter Murrell, the former chief executive of the Scottish National Party (SNP), is expected to be released after serving only half of his five-year and three-month prison sentence, according to a legal expert. Murrell was sentenced earlier this month at the High Court in Edinburgh after pleading guilty to embezzlement. His original seven-year term was reduced due to his plea.
Parole Eligibility Explained
Veteran criminal lawyer William McIntyre, who retired in 2024 after 40 years of practice, explained that individuals sentenced to more than four years typically must serve two-thirds before automatic release. However, Murrell's case differs. McIntyre stated: "Because the offence is non violent, non sexual and non domestic Murrell will probably get out having done half. He is also a first offender and I don't think the Parole Board is likely to say 'you are probably going to go and out and buy another camper van if we let you go'." Murrell is expected to apply for parole before reaching the halfway point and likely be released after serving two years and seven months.
Appeal Unlikely and Sentencing Assessment
McIntyre considers it improbable that Murrell's legal team will appeal the sentence. He commented: "I think the judge has played this pretty straight down the line in terms of the sentence. He will certainly have given it a lot of consideration. It is not excessive and it is not particularly lenient. I think there would have been eyebrows raised had Murrell got less. That would have smacked of something being amiss."
Prison Placement and Safety
McIntyre predicts Murrell will spend most of his time at Saughton Prison in Edinburgh, where he is currently held, and serve his final six months at Castle Huntly near Dundee, an open prison with a more relaxed regime. Another possibility is Dumfries Prison, which offers protection for vulnerable or high-profile inmates. However, McIntyre does not believe Murrell will be a major target: "There might be the occasional nutter who will want to target him because of his reputation and get a bit of infamy. What he did - stealing money - is not going to too frowned apon in Saughton by those that are there." He added that Murrell is a good candidate for Castle Huntly but will not be sent there immediately.
