Nicola Sturgeon's husband Peter Murrell has had a devastating day in court after it was revealed that the total sum of money he misused and thereby embezzled was four hundred thousand three hundred and ten pounds and sixty-five pence. The source of those funds was the SNP's principal bank account over which the accused had control.
The embezzlement scandal has cast a long shadow over the Scottish National Party and its former leader. Items in Nicola Sturgeon's house, including the well-known library shelving that served as a backdrop for many of her media interviews, were allegedly funded with stolen SNP money.
If a proceeds of crime action is pursued, commentators suggest that Sturgeon could be left with a very large unfurnished house. Many of the household goods and furnishings are said to have been purchased with embezzled party funds, potentially making them subject to recovery.
The now-infamous motorhome, which became a symbol of the scandal when it was seized by police from outside the couple's home, featured prominently in court proceedings. The vehicle's purchase with party funds was described as one of the most visible examples of the misuse.
Nicola Sturgeon appeared on BBC television over the weekend accompanied by her lawyer, the same legal representative who had previously represented the Manchester airport defendants. Her decision to bring legal counsel to a media interview was seen as a significant indication of the seriousness of the situation.
The former First Minister was asked directly whether she might have to lose her house if it was found to have been purchased or maintained with SNP funds. Peter Murrell's financial contributions to the household are now being scrutinised in the context of the embezzlement conviction.
The SNP financial scandal represents one of the most significant political fraud cases in recent Scottish history. The party, which once commanded overwhelming support in Scotland, has seen its credibility severely damaged by the revelations about the misuse of funds that were donated by members to support the cause of Scottish independence.