{"id":4964,"date":"2026-06-07T10:15:16","date_gmt":"2026-06-07T10:15:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/peter-murrells-gifts-for-nicola-sturgeon-illegally-bought-with-snp-funds-cannot-be-seized\/"},"modified":"2026-06-07T10:15:16","modified_gmt":"2026-06-07T10:15:16","slug":"peter-murrells-gifts-for-nicola-sturgeon-illegally-bought-with-snp-funds-cannot-be-seized","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/peter-murrells-gifts-for-nicola-sturgeon-illegally-bought-with-snp-funds-cannot-be-seized\/","title":{"rendered":"Peter Murrell&#8217;s gifts for Nicola Sturgeon illegally bought with SNP funds &#8216;cannot be seized&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_13ef38\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">Murrell, who is due to appear before the court again later this month, is reportedly set to offer the judge overseeing his case a plea deal that could see him pledge to repay the SNP<\/h2>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37259981\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Peter Murrell\" loading=\"eager\" sizes=\"(max-width: 508px) 508px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37259981.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_Peter-Murrell-embezzlement-of-SNP-funds.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37259981.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s508\/0_Peter-Murrell-embezzlement-of-SNP-funds.jpg 508w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37259981.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/0_Peter-Murrell-embezzlement-of-SNP-funds.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37259981.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_Peter-Murrell-embezzlement-of-SNP-funds.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Murrell is said to have bought \u00a360,000 worth of gifts for his estranged wife\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Murrell is said to have bought \u00a360,000 worth of gifts for his estranged wife<cite aria-label=\"Image: Jane Barlow\/PA Wire\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Jane Barlow\/PA Wire)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Gifts Peter Murrell purchased for Nicola Sturgeon using funds he illegally embezzled from the <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/snp\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">SNP<!-- --><\/a> cannot be seized, unless the political party takes action, experts have concluded.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The disgraced former chief executive of the SNP, who was imprisoned for <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/crime\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">pilfering<\/a> \u00a3400,000 from its funds while serving the position, is said to have spent some of that money on gifts for former party leader <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/nicola-sturgeon\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Mrs Sturgeon<\/a>. The gifts, believed to be worth \u00a360,000, reportedly included luxury cookware and household appliances she is now under pressure to hand over.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">But experts have said a number of items were removed from Murrell&#8217;s indictment, meaning they cannot be seized without a new legal challenge.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-37259979\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37259979\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Motorhome parked inside\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37259979.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/1_Peter-Murrell-court-case.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37259979.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/1_Peter-Murrell-court-case.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37259979.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/1_Peter-Murrell-court-case.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37259979.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/1_Peter-Murrell-court-case.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Among Murrell's assets is a motorhome, which was shown during an Edinburgh hearing\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Among Murrell&#8217;s assets is a motorhome, which was shown during an Edinburgh hearing<cite aria-label=\"Image: Crown Office\/PA Wire\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Crown Office\/PA Wire)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Speaking to <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thetimes.com\/uk\/scotland\/article\/nicola-sturgeon-keep-items-peter-murrell-stolen-snp-funds-6lnfjhg3f\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">The Times<\/a>, legal experts said hundreds of items removed from the indictment as part of a plea deal cannot be seized under the proceeds of crime action. The experts added that they may not be recoverable unless the SNP opens its own separate civil action.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Murrell was remanded in custody last month after admitting to having embezzled \u00a3400,310.65 from the SNP over 12 years between 2010 and 2022.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.heraldscotland.com\/news\/26166752.murrell-offer-pay-full-400k-compensation-snp\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Scottish Herald<\/a> reported last week that Murrell will offer to pay back the full amount he embezzled from the party as part of the case his lawyers will make to the court when he faces sentencing. He is due to return to the High Court in Edinburgh later this month, with sentencing to be handed down by presiding judge Lord Young on June 23.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-37259992\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37259992\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Peter Murrell outside court\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37259992.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Peter-Murrell-court-case.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37259992.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_Peter-Murrell-court-case.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37259992.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_Peter-Murrell-court-case.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37259992.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Peter-Murrell-court-case.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Murrell is set to return to court later this month\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Murrell is set to return to court later this month<cite aria-label=\"Image: Jane Barlow\/PA Wire\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Jane Barlow\/PA Wire)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The Herald reports that he will make the offer of repayment at this hearing as part of a plea to have the judge consider imposing a less severe sentence.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">If accepted, Lord Young could impose a compensation order on Murrell alongside any other penalties, which could include a prison sentence. A legal source cited by the publication said: &#8220;It is quite common for the defence to offer compensation in mitigation and for the sentencing court to take it into account. One of the considerations is the loss to the complainer, which in this case is the SNP.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;In less serious cases the Crown can even sometimes be persuaded to drop a case if the loss is made good.&#8221; The court earlier heard during a narrative hearing on Tuesday that Murrell&#8217;s assets, now frozen as part of the Proceeds of Crime Order, are more than the sum he pled to embezzling from his former party.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-37259996\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37259996\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon with husband Peter Murrell \" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37259996.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Nicola-Sturgeon-separation.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37259996.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_Nicola-Sturgeon-separation.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37259996.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_Nicola-Sturgeon-separation.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37259996.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Nicola-Sturgeon-separation.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Murrell and Sturgeon have shared assets listed among Murrell's assets\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Murrell and Sturgeon have shared assets listed among Murrell&#8217;s assets<cite aria-label=\"Image: PA\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: PA)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">John Scullion KC, representing Murrell, told the court that the former CEO&#8217;s assets had been frozen following a restraint order granted via the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The KC said: &#8220;The value of the property restrained in terms of the petition suggests that there will be repayment of the sum embezzled in this case.&#8221; Among those assets are a \u00a3124,550 Niesmann+Bischoff motorhome, a &#8220;gross funds&#8221; sum from two Legal and General pension accounts amounting to \u00a3613,496.04, and \u201cheritable property\u201d listed with a value of \u00a388,632 in Murrell and Sturgeon&#8217;s name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/uk-news\/peter-murrells-gifts-nicola-sturgeon-37259954\" target=\"_blank\">Source link<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Murrell, who is due to appear before the court again later this month, is reportedly<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4965,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4964","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-crime"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/0_Peter-Murrell-embezzlement-of-SNP-funds.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4964","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4964"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4964\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4965"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4964"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4964"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4964"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}