A recent revelation suggests that gifts purchased by Peter Murrell for Nicola Sturgeon using misappropriated funds from the SNP may not be subject to seizure without intervention from the political party. Murrell, the former SNP chief executive, who was convicted of embezzling £400,000 from party funds, allegedly spent around £60,000 on gifts for the ex-party leader. However, legal experts have pointed out that certain items excluded from Murrell’s indictment cannot be confiscated without further legal action by the SNP.
According to insights shared with The Times, a plea deal resulted in the exclusion of hundreds of items from the indictment, making them immune to seizure under the proceeds of crime legislation. To potentially recover these items, the SNP would need to pursue a separate civil action.
Murrell, who confessed to embezzling over £400,000 from the SNP between 2010 and 2022, is currently in custody awaiting sentencing. Reports from the Scottish Herald indicate that Murrell intends to repay the full embezzled amount as part of his defense strategy during the upcoming court proceedings. The sentencing, scheduled for June 23 at the High Court in Edinburgh, will be overseen by Lord Young.
Should Murrell’s offer of repayment be accepted, a compensation order could be imposed alongside other penalties, including a possible prison sentence. The court has frozen Murrell’s assets under the Proceeds of Crime Order, which exceed the amount he admitted to embezzling from the party. His assets include a high-value motorhome, funds from pension accounts, and joint property with Sturgeon.
Representing Murrell, John Scullion KC informed the court about the frozen assets, indicating the likelihood of full repayment of the embezzled sum from the restrained properties. The situation underscores the complex legal and financial implications surrounding the misappropriation case.
