Committee publication · Correspondence · 1 July 2026
Correspondence from the Electoral Commission regarding embezzlement of funds from the Scottish National Party, 30 June 2026
Summary
The Electoral Commission responds to the Scottish Affairs Committee regarding safeguards for public funds allocated to the SNP following Peter Murrell's embezzlement conviction. The Commission states it found no evidence of misuse of £2.2m in policy development grants (2010–2022), confirms robust audit procedures including independent verification and compliance checks, and outlines recovery powers under PPERA. The Commission is reviewing past SNP accounts and considering future improvements to the grants scheme.
Key findings
- SNP received £2,248,353 in policy development grants between 2010 and 2022; Electoral Commission found no evidence of misuse in annual compliance checks.
- Policy development grants process includes independent audits, advance payment of 75%, year-end reconciliation, and recovery powers if funds were spent on ineligible activities.
- Electoral Commission worked closely with Police Scotland on the Peter Murrell investigation and is now reviewing SNP's past accounts, declarations and disclosures following his conviction.
- Current safeguards appear sufficient in this case, but Commission is considering changes to powers and reviewing auditor guidance in light of Operation Branchform findings.
- Commission supports Rycroft Review recommendations for standardised political party annual reports and accounts to improve transparency and consistency in financial reporting.
Tone
FactualTopics
Key actors
Electoral Commission, Scottish National Party, Peter Murrell, Police Scotland, Patricia Ferguson MP, John Pullinger, Scottish Affairs Committee
Notable line
“We have seen no evidence of misuse of policy development grant funds by the SNP in our annual compliance checks.”
Key Quotes
“We have seen no evidence of misuse of policy development grant funds by the SNP in our annual compliance checks.”
“We worked closely with Police Scotland to support their investigation in the Peter Murrell case.”
“If there is evidence of any misuse, the Commission will take appropriate action to safeguard public money, using powers set out in Schedule 1, paragraph 1 of PPERA.”
“Further to the conviction of Peter Murrell, former Chief Executive of the Scottish National Party (SNP), for embezzlement of party funds, I am writing to seek information regarding the allocation of public funds by the Electoral Commission to political parties and the safeguards in place to ensure their proper use.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗