Legal experts have determined that gifts bought by Peter Murrell for Nicola Sturgeon using money he embezzled from the SNP cannot be confiscated unless the party takes action. Murrell, the former chief executive of the SNP, who was convicted of stealing £400,000 from party funds while in office, reportedly spent around £60,000 on gifts for Sturgeon, including high-end kitchenware and household items.
However, experts have pointed out that certain items were excluded from Murrell’s legal charges, making them exempt from seizure without a fresh legal challenge. According to The Times, legal professionals explained that items not included in the criminal proceedings due to a plea agreement cannot be reclaimed under proceeds of crime legislation unless the SNP pursues a separate civil case.
Murrell, who confessed to embezzling over £400,000 from the SNP between 2010 and 2022, has been in custody since last month. The Scottish Herald reported that Murrell intends to repay the full amount he stole from the party during his upcoming sentencing hearing at the High Court in Edinburgh, scheduled for June 23.
If Murrell’s offer of repayment is accepted, the judge may impose a compensation order in addition to other penalties, potentially including a prison sentence. The defense’s strategy of offering compensation as a mitigating factor is common in such cases, with the aim of reducing the severity of the sentence. The court has been informed that Murrell’s assets, currently frozen under the Proceeds of Crime Order, exceed the amount he admitted to embezzling from the SNP.
John Scullion KC, Murrell’s legal representative, stated that the restrained assets, including a motorhome, pension funds, and property co-owned with Sturgeon, suggest that full repayment of the embezzled sum is feasible. The court proceedings will determine the final outcome regarding Murrell’s financial obligations and potential penalties.
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