<\/p>\n
Jailed: Peter Murrell<\/p>\n
Peter Murrell, the former chief executive of the Scottish National Party, has been sentenced to five years and three months in prison after admitting embezzlement charges.<\/p>\n
The judge Lord Young said he reduced the sentence from seven years because of Murrell\u2019s guilty plea at the preliminary hearing.<\/p>\n
Murrell, who was led into the High Court handcuffed to a female security officer, embezzled \u00a3400,000 from the party which had been raised by members to fund an independence campaign. Instead he embarked on a personal spending spree. <\/p>\n
Passing sentence, Lord Young said Murrell\u2019s actions were \u201ccalculated and dishonest\u201d and amounted to a \u201csignificant breach of trust\u201d. His position of chief executive meant he was able to \u201ccircumvent checks and balances\u201d.<\/p>\n
Peter Murrell arriving in court today<\/p>\n
Murrell\u2019s lawyer John Scullion QC said his client had co-operated fully with a social work report following his guilty plea and that it contained positive information on Murrell\u2019s attitude to his offence.<\/p>\n
Mr Scullion told the court that Murrell recognised the \u201cmeasurable psychological, emotional, and financial harm\u201d done to the party.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe accused is now an individual overwhelmed by feelings of embarrassment and shame,\u201d he added. <\/p>\n
The Crown has confirmed that there are sufficient funds for Murrell to repay the embezzled sum and Mr Scullion said Murrell wishes to start repaying it.<\/p>\n
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said:\u00a0\u201cPeter Murrell has been brought to justice for his crimes, although he could be out in just over two years due to weak SNP sentencing policies.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut the question remains: how did he get away with this brazen and large-scale crime spree for so many years? The hard truth for Nicola Sturgeon and John Swinney is that they effectively enabled Murrell.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy assuring SNP members that the finances were sound, and issuing warnings to those raising valid concerns, they allowed Murrell to think that he was untouchable.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was only when Police Scotland were alerted to the missing independence referendum funds that they discovered Murrell\u2019s thefts.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s no wonder that Swinney is so desperate to thwart an inquiry which would examine many issues, including whether public money was stolen.\u201d<\/p>\n
\t #Murrell #sentenced #years #months #Daily #Business<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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