Peter Murrell has been convicted at the High Court in Edinburgh of embezzling funds from the Scottish National Party following one of the most high profile investigations in modern Scottish political history.
The conviction follows the long running Police Scotland investigation known as Operation Branchform which examined the handling of SNP finances over a twelve year period.
Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Houston, who oversaw the investigation, described the case as lengthy and extremely complex due to both the scale of the alleged offending and attempts to conceal financial activity over many years.
Speaking following the conviction, ACC Houston said:
“This was a lengthy and extremely complex case due to the scale of criminality over a 12 year period and the lengths Peter Murrell went to try and cover his tracks.
“I commend the professionalism and absolute dedication of the Operation Branchform team who spent more than four years carrying out extensive enquiries across Europe to unpick Murrell’s offending.
“All of this work, in close partnership with colleagues from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, was carried out under the most intense public scrutiny and it was their commitment to gathering such detailed and compelling evidence that brought us to the High Court today.
“This is without doubt one of the most high profile investigations in recent times and it is testimony to the work of Police Scotland officers and staff that has led to Peter Murrell’s admission of guilt early in the court process.”
Houston also praised witnesses who assisted investigators during the case and accused Murrell of abusing a position of public trust built over many years within Scottish politics.
“Peter Murrell has shown utter contempt for the high public trust placed in him as the Chief Executive of a political party and his position in the wider political establishment in Scotland for many years.
“He abused his privileged position with access to Scottish National Party funds to divert cash into his own accounts and bankroll the lavish lifestyle he craved but could not afford.
“From 2010 to 2022 he spent hundreds of thousands of pounds on luxury goods while carefully trying to hide his criminality with false receipts and accounting.
“He must now face the consequences of his actions.”
Operation Branchform has dominated Scottish political discussion for several years and placed significant scrutiny on the SNP and its internal financial management during a turbulent period for the party.
Murrell, who served for many years as the SNP’s Chief Executive, had long been viewed as one of the most influential figures behind the scenes in Scottish politics.
The conviction now represents a major and deeply damaging chapter for the party as it continues attempting to rebuild public trust following years of internal controversy and leadership upheaval.
