Peter Murrell, the former chief executive of the Scottish National Party (SNP), used £400,310 of embezzled party funds to purchase luxury items, according to a police investigation. The list of purchases, spanning about 100 pages, includes high-end watches, iPads, a Jaguar car, expensive coffee machines, and a robotic lawnmower.
Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Houston of Police Scotland stated that Murrell “abused his privileged position with access to Scottish National party funds to divert cash into his own accounts and bankroll the lavish lifestyle he craved but could not afford.” The investigation also revealed that Murrell spent money on smaller items such as curry sauce, glue, and a corkscrew.
The embezzlement came to light during a wider probe into SNP finances. Murrell, who was married to former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, resigned as SNP chief executive in March 2023. He has been charged in connection with the misuse of funds and is due to appear in court at a later date.
