Taxpayer to fund legal bills of ex-SNP chief
As reported by the Daily Record, the onetime chief executive of the Scottish National party had his application for solemn legal aid approved by the Scottish Legal Aid Board. The 60-year-old will receive support which is usually granted to those who cannot afford to pay for legal help themselves – however in some cases they still need to make their own contribution. In a statement, the Scottish Legal Aid Board admitted that Murrell's lawyers had made a successful case for their client – who made no plea when he appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court in March before being granted bail – and remarked:
When assessing an applicant's eligibility for legal aid we look at their financial position at the time of their application. This includes information they give us about their salary, the amount of money they have in the bank and any investments, which might be available to fund their own defence privately. Peter Murrell's application met the tests we have to apply when deciding whether to grant legal aid.
The probe into the SNP's finances started in March 2021 after a complaint was made by Sean Clerkin about a 'missing' sum of £600,000 fundraised for a second independence referendum campaign. Murrell was taken into police custody for the second time on 18 April 2024 as part of the police probe into SNP finances – and charged with embezzling funds from his own party. Sturgeon and former party treasurer Colin Beattie – who is standing in the 2026 Holyrood election to the surprise of just about everyone – are no longer being probed by the police. Whatever will come of Murrell's charge? Stay tuned…
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