Former SNP Chief Executive Admits Embezzlement
Peter Murrell, former chief executive of the Scottish National Party (SNP), has confessed to embezzling over £400,000 from the party between August 2010 and October 2022. The funds were used to purchase a range of items, from luxury goods and vehicles to everyday products.
Murrell pleaded guilty at the High Court in Edinburgh and has been remanded in custody.
The question remains: how exactly was the money spent?
Fifa, Grand Theft Auto and Pac-Man - the Gaming Purchases
Murrell demonstrated a notable interest in video gaming equipment and software, spending nearly £2,000 over a decade on such items.
His gaming acquisitions began on 10 November 2010 with a £247.42 purchase of a Sony PlayStation 3 console. Shortly after, on 13 December 2010, he bought a Nintendo DSI XL for £149.99.
In 2011, Murrell expanded his collection by purchasing a Nintendo 3DS handheld console on 23 November, followed by three additional 3DS consoles four days later for a combined £349.35.
Alongside consoles, he acquired various games including Fifa 12 for the 3DS, as well as Pac-Man, Galaga, and The Sims 3 Pets.
In 2013, he purchased Fifa 14 and Battlefield 4 for the Xbox 360, and in 2014, the Fifa 15 Ultimate Edition.
Murrell also bought Grand Theft Auto V for the PlayStation 4, a game developed by the Scotland-based studio Rockstar.
Notably, in 2023, Mike Dailly, one of the original creators of the Grand Theft Auto series, announced his affiliation with the SNP.
Additional gaming-related purchases included a £50 Turtle Beach gaming headset, an Xbox One console for £297.14 in 2015, and a Nintendo Switch costing £279.99 in 2017.
In September 2020, Murrell spent over £1,800 at John Lewis on an iPad Pro and Apple Magic Keyboard.
Coffee Machines, Roasted Beans and Instant Nescafe
Murrell used party funds to acquire several high-end coffee machines and luxury coffee beans.
On 24 November 2014, he purchased a Miele CM 6300 coffee machine for £1,299. Subsequently, on 1 February 2017, he spent £1,865.75 on a Jura bean-to-coffee machine.
Later, on 10 October 2018, he invested £2,595 in a Jura 28 fully automatic bean-to-cup coffee machine.
Murrell also bought Portuguese coffee beans multiple times, including £84.95 spent on five packs of gourmet beans and £123.91 on five packs of roasted beans in May 2017.
He purchased traditional instant coffee as well, including 2kg of Nescafe Gold Blend in May 2018 for £81.16.
Beyond machines and coffee, Murrell acquired related accessories. In February 2017, he bought a manual espresso maker for £141.07.
In August 2017, £660.80 was spent on a Jura glass coffee cup warmer, six Jura espresso cups, and a stainless steel milk pipe attachment.
In November 2017, over four days, he spent £354.70 on an assortment of Le Creuset espresso and cappuccino mugs.
Luxury Watches, Vanity Bureau and Jewellery Box
While the Niesmann + Bischoff motorhome remains impounded by Police Scotland, Murrell made several other high-value purchases with the embezzled funds.
In May and June 2017, he bought two Bremont World Timer Alt 1 watches—one white and one black—for £4,555.25 and £4,795 respectively.
In March 2017, he spent £4,225 on a Montblanc Starwalker World Time fountain pen, part of several four-figure pen purchases.
Other pens included a Montblanc meisterstück moon pearl, a modern version of the pen used by Roger Moore’s James Bond in the 1983 film Octopussy, and two special Beatles editions by Montblanc.
In December 2017, a week before Christmas, Murrell purchased a £3,500 hand-chased wine coaster in Britannia silver, designed by Edinburgh jewellers Hamilton and Inches.
In May 2021, he spent £3,192 on a black tea set and vanity bureau crafted by leather maker Frank Smythson, a company holding a royal warrant to provide stationery for the Duke of Edinburgh.
From the same firm, he acquired a £2,495 jewellery box and two tote bags in navy and burgundy for a total of £1,116.
Additionally, Lalique salt and pepper grinders costing £2,618.16 were purchased in January 2020.
Hand Cream, Sherlock Holmes DVD and a Onesie
Murrell also bought a variety of everyday items and gadgets, ranging from a Karcher pressure washer for £469.95 to a Dyson V8 Cordless vacuum cleaner priced at £469.99.
He purchased DVD collections including Sherlock Holmes for £26.97, The Killing for £60, and seasons 1-3 of the Danish political drama Borgen for £51.75.
Clothing purchases included Berghaus jackets costing £236.95 and £163.98, approximately a dozen Gant shirts, Timberland shoes for £100, and a men's "slouch pouch onesie" priced at £75.55.
At the lower end of the scale, he bought two Neutrogena hand creams for £2.50 as part of a larger purchase and a bottle of Loctite super glue for £3.50.
