A criminologist has suggested that former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell may have embezzled more than £400,000 from the party in an attempt to heal a 'psychological wound' and attain a 'lavish lifestyle that he craved but could not afford'. Dr Nicola Harding described the case as a 'textbook white collar crime' involving someone in a 'position of respectability'.
Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland's Breakfast programme, Dr Harding said that Murrell, the ex-husband of former first minister Nicola Sturgeon, may have been 'trying to fill a gap within himself' with his series of expensive purchases, which were paid for with party funds. She noted that for many fraudsters, the purchases are not about the items themselves but about how they make the individual feel.
Dr Harding explained that white collar criminals often come from a place of 'not feeling good enough' and use purchasing to overcome 'psychological internal failures'. She speculated that Murrell may have felt internal pressure from his position in society to own luxury items such as expensive watches and pens, and rationalised his actions by telling himself he was not doing anything wrong.
The expert also highlighted that the lack of oversight provided the opportunity for the crimes, and that Murrell's earlier undetected offences may have emboldened him, leading to larger and more frequent purchases over time. She added that white collar criminals are often 'incredibly likeable and charismatic', which helps them maintain trust despite their actions.
