Ex-SNP leader Peter Murrell’s £124,000 luxury motorhome has been unveiled in newly released photos. Murrell, the former head of the party, appeared in court in Edinburgh handcuffed after admitting to embezzling over £400,000 from party funds. Details provided by Advocate depute Alan Cameron KC highlighted how Murrell utilized SNP money for an extravagant lifestyle over the span of a decade.
The Crown Office disclosed images of the motorhome, equipped with Molton Brown products, which was seized by the police with only four miles on the odometer from Murrell’s mother’s residence. Described as a “van” rather than a motorhome in the invoice, it had no visibility to other party members or staff.
Additionally, a £3,000 robotic lawnmower was discovered during a search of Murrell’s house, initially mislabeled as legal expenses. An investigation revealed that more than £42,000 was spent on 383 non-party-related items from Amazon, mostly sent to Murrell’s home address or the SNP headquarters.
Murrell manipulated financial records and fabricated invoices to conceal his illicit activities, including high-end purchases like watches, pens, and a silver wine coaster. He falsified an invoice for a costly vehicle purchase and diverted SNP funds for personal use, also engaging in smaller expenses such as hand cream, household supplies, and a luxury toilet seat.
Following his guilty plea, attention has turned to Nicola Sturgeon, Murrell’s estranged wife and the former Scottish First Minister, who has denied any involvement in his actions. Sturgeon, who faced questioning in the SNP financial investigation but was cleared of any charges, reiterated her lack of responsibility for Murrell’s crimes.
Calls have arisen for an independent inquiry into the SNP’s financial affairs amidst the ongoing legal proceedings. Murrell, dressed in a formal suit, has been detained pending sentencing scheduled for June 23.