SNP faces Electoral Commission probe over former chief executive Peter Murrell's embezzlement

The UK Electoral Commission announced it is working with the Scottish National Party (SNP) to review past accounts after former chief executive Peter Murrell was convicted of embezzling more than £400,000 from the party over a 12‑year period. The Commission had previously found no misuse of policy development grant funds, but will now examine all historic financial disclosures, including £2.25 million in grants and £8.1 million in Short Money received between 2010 and 2022. If unlawful spending is identified, the Commission can force the SNP to repay funds or initiate civil proceedings.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer used Prime Minister’s Questions to accuse the SNP of “pretending” not to know about Murrell’s crimes and criticised the party’s stance on defence policy. MPs in Westminster and the Scottish Affairs Committee are considering whether to launch a joint inquiry into the SNP’s finances, though a SNP‑Green majority in Holyrood may resist such an investigation.