SNP may have claimed back tax on Murrell's illicit purchases - Swinney

The SNP is seeking compensation from former chief executive Peter Murrell after he admitted embezzling more than £400,000 from the party.

The 61-year-old - the estranged husband of Nicola Sturgeon - used the funds to illicitly purchase goods including cars, a motorhome, cosmetics and games consoles over a 12-year period.

The SNP's ruling body, the national executive committee, has backed court action to "recover the money that has been stolen from us".

In a letter to party members, SNP leader John Swinney said the SNP would apply for compensation under the Proceeds of Crime Act for the recovery of the £400,310.65.

The first minister also said the SNP would begin civil action against Murrell, which could be used in the event that the party does not recoup its funds through the criminal court.

At a hearing this week, Murrell's lawyer indicated that the former chief executive had enough funds to repay the sum he embezzled from the party.

However, this money would be paid to the state if Murrell is served a confiscation order.

The SNP hopes to recoup its losses through a separate compensation order from the court.

Swinney said: "I take the good financial management of the Scottish National Party incredibly seriously and I am confident that we now have high standards of financial governance, with appropriate checks and balances in place."

In his letter, which has been seen by BBC Scotland, the first minister said there had been a significant increase in donations from party members since Murrell pleaded guilty last Monday.

Swinney gave his "personal assurance that every penny that is raised by the SNP will be spent on our efforts to secure Scottish independence."

Meanwhile, former SNP treasurer Douglas Chapman - who quit in 2021 after claiming he was not given enough information to do the job - claimed that those who raised concerns about party finances were "vilified" by senior figures.

In a social media post, the ex-MP said complaints were ignored and those who raised them "had their careers damaged irreparably by their own party leaders and senior staff at SNP HQ".

Chapman named several high-profile party figures, including Swinney and Nicola Sturgeon.

Both have denied suppressing complaints.

The first minister, who appointed Murrell as chief executive and served in cabinet throughout his period of offending, said last week that he was "not conscious" of having shut down questions about party finances.

Swinney has also repeatedly rejected calls for an independent inquiry into Murrell's crimes - arguing that a probe could not provide more answers than a thorough police investigation.

Earlier, it emerged that the SNP was being threatened with a fresh police complaint about its finances.

Activist Sean Clerkin told the Scottish Sun that he was contacting police about the alleged misuse of £667,000 in donations raised for an independence campaign.

Police Scotland confirmed that the matter had been raised with the force.

That came after Swinney confirmed that the cash had been used on the SNP's "ongoing activity", insisting it had been used as intended on the party's "independence objectives".

Murrell is due to be sentenced on 23 June.