This live page is now closed - read more here
Peter Murrell is sentenced to five years and three months after he admitted embezzling more than £400,000 from the SNP
The party's former chief executive showed little reaction, staring straight ahead, before being led away in handcuffs, writes our Scotland editor
Judge Lord Young says Murrell's actions amount to a "significant breach of trust", and his position in the party meant he was able to "circumvent checks and balances"
A lawyer for former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says she has been "let down" by her estranged husband, and remains "angry, hurt and distressed"
Murrell, 61, used the funds to buy goods ranging from cars to kitchenware and toiletries, between 2010 and 2022 - use our interactive tool to see what Murrell bought
Shortly after the sentencing, prosecutors released dozens of new pictures showing items he bought using embezzeled funds
Ahead of the judge's sentencing remarks, the court heard that there are sufficient funds for Murrell to repay the embezzled sum
The judge tells Murrell he believes he cannot identify any factors which caused him to offend and could be considered as mitigatory factors.
He says the indictment covers a lengthy piece of time and future employment will be "difficult, if not impossible".
The judge adds Murrell presents a "minimal risk of general reoffending" according to risk assessments.
James Cook
Scotland editor, at the High Court in Edinburgh
Murrell did not react as his sentence was delivered, staring straight ahead and blinking several times before being led away in handcuffs.
Lord Young asks Murrell to stand and tells him he carried out a “large number of fraudulent act over a 12-year period”.
He says Murrell’s offending “increased in frequency” over time up to an amount of more than £400,000.
He says Murrell was unable to halt his offending and it was only stopped when his criminality was detected.
Lord Young says Murrell’s actions amount to a “significant breach of trust” to the SNP and he was able to get away with it for a long period due to his position.
He says Murrell’s position of chief executive meant he was able to “circumvent checks and balances” but describes the nature of the embezzlement as “not particularly sophisticated”.
Lord Young says Murrell’s crime was “calculated and dishonest”.
Former SNP chief executive Petter Murrell is sentenced to five years and three months in prison for embezzling £400,000 from the party.
Scullion concludes his submissions by asking the judge to restrict the sentence "as much as your lordship properly can".
He also asks the judge to backdate the sentence to 25 May, when Murrell was remanded in custody.
Murrell's lawyer tells the court the Crown has confirmed from their investigation that there are sufficient funds for Murrell to repay the embezzled sum.
John Scullion KC says Murrell wishes to start repaying it.
Scullion says Murrell has been “ostracised” by friends and colleagues since his guilty plea.
He says Murrell has become a “figure of public ridicule” and his “humiliation” will go beyond any custodial sentence imposed.
Scullion notes the plea has “ended his career and future career prospects”.
He says Murrell, who has no previous convictions, is at “minimal risk” of reoffending.
Murrell's lawyer says the former SNP chief acknowledges the effects of his actions and accepts full responsibility.
The KC says that Murrell recognises the "measurable psychological, emotional, and financial harm" done to the party.
"The accused is now an individual overwhelmed by feelings of embarrassment and shame," he adds.
Scullion says Murrell has since withdrawn from social life since his arrest.
Scullion tells the judge he acknowledges that the "only appropriate disposal is a custodial sentence".
He says he has taken that into account in his submissions in mitigation.
Peter Murrell’s lawyer says that his client “co-operated fully and candidly” with a social work report following his guilty plea.
John Scullion KC said the report submitted was “thoughtful and measured”.
Scullion says it contains “positive information” in regards to Murrell’s attitude to his offence.
He says he hopes Lord Young will take that into account while considering his sentence.
James Cook
Scotland editor at the High Court in Edinburgh
Murrell has been led in handcuffed to a female security officer.
A BBC camera crew filming him in the well of the court is an incongruous sight.
Advocate depute Alan Cameron KC, for the Crown and John Scullion KC for Murrell are seated at opposing sides of the table in the middle of the room.
It is now silent as we await the judge Lord Young.
Paul O'Hare
at the High Court in Edinburgh
Murrell has arrived in court flanked by one male and one female security guard.
His head is bowed.
Up until now we have heard what Murrell did and how he did it.
The next few minutes should give us an eagerly-awaited insight into the main unanswered question - why did he embezzle more than £400,000 from the SNP?
James Cook
Scotland editor at the High Court in Edinburgh
Journalists are filing into courtroom number three at the High Court in Edinburgh for the sentencing of Peter Murrell.
Detectives from Police Scotland and staff from the Crown Office are also here.
The cool courtroom is a welcome respite from the heat which is building outside on the tourist-thronged Royal Mile.
David Henderson
Scotland news correspondent, at the High Court in Edinburgh
Peter Murrell is facing a long stretch in jail.
He was remanded in custody on 25 May, so he's getting used to prison life.
But today is Murrell's reckoning. He's about to learn just how long he'll spend behind bars.
The High Court setting and solemn procedure give Lord Young wide discretion on what sentence to impose.
So this is the moment Murrell's past catches up with him.
Under the Scottish legal system there are no formal sentencing guidelines for embezzlement like there are in England. Established case law will guide and constrain the judge to some extent.
But he could decide to make an example of Murrell, and give him a longer sentence than usual.
Scotland's courts consistently identify the same aggravating factors in embezzlement cases.
These include:
Paul O'Hare
BBC Scotland News, in the High Court in Edinburgh
With less than 10 minutes to go, there is a buzz in the foyer at the High Court in Edinburgh.
Journalists and observers are waiting for the case to call at 09:30.
Sean Clerkin, the political activist who first reported concerns about SNP finances to police in March 2021 is here.
So is Det Insp Craig Cheyne, the senior investigating officer for Operation Branchform.
Katie Hunter
BBC Scotland reporter at the High Court in Edinburgh
Image source, PA MediaMurrell arrived at the High Court in Edinburgh in a prison van before 09:00.
It stopped for about 20 seconds outside the back of the court while the building shutters came up.
A number of photographers had their cameras right up at the van’s window trying to get a shot of Murrell.
There are dozens of journalists around the High Court in Edinburgh this morning - many of whom Murrell will know from his days as chief executive of the SNP.
David Henderson
Scotland news correspondent, at the High Court in Edinburgh
What’s most striking about the Crown’s account of Murrell’s crimes is his sheer doggedness — the cynical calculation and deceit that ran right through his actions.
It lays bare how he exploited his trusted access to the SNP’s books to line his own pockets by just about every route available: credit cards, party charge cards, and straight transfers of cash.
That perhaps goes some way to explaining how the party’s auditors, its officials, and even his estranged wife Nicola Sturgeon seemingly failed to notice what he was up to over so many years.
He fed bogus figures into the accounts, passing off the money he was siphoning away as run-of-the-mill party spending. It was convincing enough key people, often enough, to let him make off with more than £400,000.
So it's clear how he committed these crimes.
But "why" is anything but clear.
He still hasn’t accounted for himself, and the Crown narrative offers no clue.
Murrell has had the chance to explain his actions through the background report prepared by social workers to help the court decide on sentence.
And his defence counsel may offer some explanation at this hearing.
But Murrell may choose to say nothing, and leave the court and the rest of us to guess his motives.
Paul O'Hare
at the High Court in Edinburgh
Murrell’s lawyer John Scullion KC will address the court to deliver his plea in mitigation.
Scullion will highlight factors which he believes should merit a more lenient sentence for his client.
We know Murrell will get a discount for tendering a guilty plea, which prevented the need for a costly High Court trial.
Scullion will also outline his client’s personal circumstances and, potentially, offer an insight into why he committed his crimes.
We may also get an expression of remorse from Murrell and, possibly, an apology.
And we may get some details about how Murrell will pay back the money.
Advocate Depute Alan Cameron KC will also be given the chance to speak and is likely to provide an update on the proceeds of crime action against the former SNP chief executive.
This is likely to include a headline figure on how much Murrell will have to pay.
Murrell, who is a first offender, will then be asked to stand before the judge as he delivers his sentencing statement.
Image source, PA MediaAfter Murrell's last appearance at the High Court in Edinburgh on 2 June, he was handcuffed and led out of the courtroom flanked by two security officers.
The 61-year-old faces a lengthy jail term after previously pleading guilty on 25 May.
The judge, Lord Young, told Murrell his crimes amounted to a “gross breach of trust” and remanded him in custody.
Image source, PAPeter Murrell was photographed arriving at court in a police van three weeks ago
Murrell, 61, used SNP funds to illicitly purchase luxury goods, jewellery, cosmetics, two cars and a motorhome.
The Crown has published 125 pages of documents detailing Murrell's purchases.
The largest single transaction, in 2020, was £124,550 for a luxury motorhome, paid for entirely with party funds. Murrell was accused of creating false documents to disguise the payment as a legitimate party expense.
Murrell was arrested in March 2023 following a dramatic police raid on the house he shared with his now estranged wife, Scotland's former first minister Nicola Sturgeon.