The luxury motorhome purchased by Peter Murrell with embezzled SNP funds was driven only four miles before being seized by police, the High Court in Edinburgh heard on Tuesday. The £124,550 Niesmann+Bischoff vehicle was driven from a dealership in Halbeath, Fife, to Murrell's mother's home in Dunfermline in January 2021, where it sat unused for over two years.
Prosecutor Alan Campbell KC detailed how Murrell, the former SNP chief executive, falsified records to conceal the purchase, describing the vehicle as a van on a fake invoice. The motorhome was stocked with luxury goods including Le Creuset and Joseph Joseph kitchenware, an Alessi teapot, and Molton Brown toiletries. Police found no SNP campaign material inside.
Murrell embezzled a total of £400,310.65 from the SNP over 12 years, using funds from donations, membership fees, and bequests. His spending spree included a £3,500 silver wine coaster listed as 'leadership expenses', an £81,000 Jaguar I-Pace SUV disguised as a 'stage payment', and a £3,070 robotic lawnmower recorded as 'legal fees'.
The court heard that Murrell had complete control of the party's accounts and used his position to disguise purchases, creating false invoices and misusing SNP charge cards. Many items were delivered to party headquarters, with some sent to family members.
Murrell, estranged husband of former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, sat impassively in the dock before being led away in handcuffs. He pleaded guilty last week and is expected to be sentenced on 23 June, facing imprisonment.
