Peter Murrell's gifts to former SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon, purchased with party funds he embezzled, cannot be seized unless the SNP takes separate legal action, according to legal experts. The former chief executive admitted to embezzling £400,310.65 from the party over 12 years and is said to have spent £60,000 of that on gifts for his estranged wife, including luxury cookware and household appliances.
The items were removed from Murrell's indictment as part of a plea deal, meaning they cannot be recovered under the Proceeds of Crime Act without a new challenge. Experts told The Times that the SNP would need to open its own civil action to reclaim the gifts.
Murrell, who was remanded in custody last month, is due back at the High Court in Edinburgh later this month, where he is expected to offer to repay the full embezzled sum. The Scottish Herald reported that his legal team will present the offer in mitigation, seeking a less severe sentence. Sentencing by Lord Young is scheduled for June 23.
Assets frozen under a restraint order include a £124,550 motorhome, pension accounts totalling £613,496.04, and heritable property valued at £88,632 held in the names of both Murrell and Sturgeon. The total value of restrained assets exceeds the amount embezzled, according to Murrell's counsel, John Scullion KC.
