Peter Murrell jailed for more than five years for embezzling SNP funds

Murrell was first arrested in April 2023, a few weeks after resigning due to a row about membership figures.

The Glasgow home he shared with Sturgeon was searched as part of the police operation, as was the SNP headquarters in Edinburgh.

Murrell’s largest single purchase, in 2020, was a £124,550 luxury motorhome, paid for entirely with party funds.

When it was seized by police three years later, it had only ever been driven four miles.

Murrell used party funds to buy further items including a £3,223 coffee machine, a £3,000 robotic lawn mower, £2,600 salt and pepper grinders and a £425 gold pendant that Sturgeon was photographed wearing.

The illicit purchases also included games consoles, a £100 chopstick set, £100 men’s loafers and £2.50 hand cream.

It is understood that the purchase of Le Creuset products – including mugs, ramekins, a wine carafe and bottle stopper – were what first tipped off officers about the possibility of embezzlement.

At a time when the party’s finances were lower than normal, the luxury cookware products stood out. Officers then discovered the items had been mis-coded in the party’s accounts.