Peter Murrell proceeds of crime hearing set for December 7

A court hearing to determine the confiscation of funds embezzled by Peter Murrell from the Scottish National Party (SNP) has been postponed until December 7. Murrell was sentenced in June to over five years in prison for stealing more than £400,000 from the party.

Hearing to address confiscation of embezzled funds

The Proceeds of Crime Act hearing, held at the High Court in Edinburgh, will address the recovery of funds that Murrell embezzled over a 12-year period while serving as the SNP's chief executive. The postponement was granted to allow for further work towards resolving the case, according to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. The SNP has stated its intention to recover the full sum stolen from the guilty party.

In June, Lord Young sentenced Murrell, aged 61, to five years and three months imprisonment, backdated to his arrest. The judge described the actions as a "calculated crime of dishonesty" involving numerous fraudulent acts over the 12-year duration. The offending escalated in both frequency and amount over time, with the judge noting Murrell was unable to stop until the crime was detected.

Nicola Sturgeon, Murrell's estranged wife, stated in August that he had continued to lie to her until the day he pleaded guilty. She described feeling like a "mug" for her continued care for him. John Swinney, the current SNP leader and First Minister, has acknowledged the "agony" the situation has caused the party and takes personal responsibility for its governance.

The matter will return to court, and any outcome will be processed through the judicial system. Separately, MPs on the Scottish Affairs Committee have initiated an inquiry into party political funding following the fraud within the SNP.