UK former lawmaker pleads guilty to £400k fraud

Former chief executive of the Scottish National Party (SNP), Peter Murrell, has pleaded guilty to embezzling more than £400,000 from the party.

Murrell made the guilty plea at the High Court in Edinburgh, admitting that he misappropriated the party’s funds over a sustained period.

At the sitting on Tuesday, prosecutors submitted that the defendant diverted the money for personal use, breaching the trust of party members and the wider public.

His admission marks one of the most significant financial scandals to hit the SNP in recent years.

By pleading guilty, Murrell acknowledged responsibility for the offence.

The court is expected to determine sentencing at a later date, with observers noting the case could have wider implications for party governance and financial oversight.