The luxury motorhome purchased by Peter Murrell with embezzled SNP funds was driven only four miles before sitting unused for over two years, a court has heard. The £124,550 Niesmann+Bischoff vehicle was driven from a dealership in Halbeath, Fife, to his mother's home in Dunfermline in January 2021, costing £31,138 per mile.
Edinburgh High Court was told that Murrell, the former SNP chief executive, falsified records to describe the vehicle as a van and stocked it with luxury goods including Le Creuset and Joseph Joseph kitchenware, an Alessi teapot, and Molton Brown toiletries. The motorhome was seized by police in April 2023.
Murrell pleaded guilty last week to embezzling £400,310.65 from the SNP over 12 years. The court heard he used party funds to buy motoring guides, a £3,500 silver wine coaster, an £81,000 Jaguar I-Pace SUV, and a robotic lawnmower, disguising them in accounts as leadership expenses, stage payments, and legal fees.
Prosecutor Alan Campbell KC said Murrell had complete control of party finances and created false invoices, misused codes, and transferred money directly. Many items were delivered to SNP headquarters, with some sent to family members. The motorhome was never used for party purposes, and no campaign material was found inside.
Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, Murrell's estranged wife, denied noticing the vehicle during visits to her in-laws' home, stating she assumed it belonged to a neighbour. Murrell remains in custody and is expected to be sentenced on 23 June.
