Peter Murrell, the former chief executive of the Scottish National Party (SNP), used £400,310 of party funds to purchase luxury goods including watches, iPads, and a Jaguar car, according to police documents. The list of items, spanning around 100 pages, also includes high-end coffee machines and a robotic lawnmower.
Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Houston, who led Police Scotland’s investigation, said 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 stolen money funded a spending spree that resembled a Harrods catalogue, with purchases ranging from luxury cars to everyday items like curry sauce, glue, and a corkscrew.
Murrell, who was married to former SNP leader and Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, embezzled the funds over several years. The revelation has caused significant political fallout, with questions raised about oversight within the party. Sturgeon has denied any knowledge of the embezzlement.
