Former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell has admitted to embezzling more than £400,000 from the party, using charge cards, bank transfers, and fake invoices to fund a lavish spending spree over 12 years. Murrell, the estranged husband of former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, used the funds to illicitly purchase a range of personal goods, including jewellery, cosmetics, two cars, and a motorhome.

The 61-year-old, who served as SNP chief executive for over two decades, pleaded guilty last week and faces a significant jail term. His sentencing is scheduled for June 23. Murrell, currently on remand at HMP Edinburgh, appeared in Edinburgh's high court for a hearing to establish the timeline of his criminal activities.

The court detailed how Murrell exploited his position, utilizing his own SNP charge card and those of two other staff members for purchases. He also conducted direct bank transfers from the party's accounts, which were primarily funded by membership fees, donations, and bequests. Murrell had direct access to the party's accounting system, though a staff member under his direction managed most of the bookkeeping.

Murrell was initially arrested in April 2023, shortly after his resignation as SNP chief executive amid controversy over membership figures. Police searches were conducted at the Glasgow home he shared with Ms. Sturgeon and at SNP headquarters in Edinburgh. A significant portion of the more than 1,000 items listed in the court indictment were not recovered during these raids.

Items found at the home included a custom wooden library, a robotic lawnmower, a bathroom vanity unit, a silver wine coaster, and fitted mats. Most notably, a £124,550 motorhome was seized from Murrell's mother's property in Dunfermline. This luxury Niesmann and Bischoff vehicle was ordered in October 2020, with Murrell paying a £12,500 deposit using an SNP charge card.

The court heard that the remaining balance of £112,050 for the motorhome was paid in four direct transfers from the SNP account in December 2020. The vehicle was subsequently delivered. The details of the embezzlement highlight a systematic abuse of party funds over an extended period.

This case has sent shockwaves through the Scottish political landscape, raising questions about financial oversight within the Scottish National Party. The lengthy duration of the embezzlement and the nature of the purchases underscore the extent of the breach of trust.

Further details regarding the full extent of the embezzled funds and the specific items purchased are expected to emerge as the legal process continues. Murrell's plea of guilty signifies a critical juncture in the investigation, paving the way for sentencing.