Overview
- The High Court in Edinburgh sentenced Murrell to five years and three months after he admitted stealing £400,310.65, a decision handed down on Tuesday and backdated with credit for time served.
- Prosecutors said Murrell used his role to make direct transfers, run party charge cards and create fake invoices and misleading account codes to hide hundreds of personal purchases including a motorhome, cars, watches and homewares.
- Judge Lord Young said the offending was a "calculated crime of dishonesty" and that the term was reduced from a notional seven years because Murrell pleaded guilty.
- Confiscation and civil recovery actions to recoup funds have been postponed until September and the defence says Murrell has the means and intends to repay the money while the SNP has authorised legal steps to recover assets.
- The case deepens scrutiny of SNP governance, leaves senior figures under pressure despite Nicola Sturgeon being cleared of wrongdoing, and has prompted calls for further independent inquiry into party finances.