Images released by Scotland’s Crown Office show items bought by Peter Murrell using funds taken from the SNP. BBC Scotland and Sky News have provided further coverage of the morning hearing. A spokesperson for Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham stated he would not call an early election if he became prime minister following the Makerfield by-election. The claim had appeared in a weekend report, and his team has now ruled out any snap poll. Prosecutors told Edinburgh High Court that the embezzled money came from SNP membership fees and donations. Alan Cameron KC said Murrell transferred funds directly and used party charge cards for personal purchases without other staff knowing. He also falsified records and created fake invoices to conceal the activity. Murrell appeared in court wearing a dark blue suit and black tie. Details emerged of vehicles acquired with the funds, including a Volkswagen Golf later traded toward a Jaguar I-Pace valued over £81,000, claimed as a stage payment for events. A motorhome costing £124,550 was seized from his mother’s home with only four miles on the odometer and listed as a van on the invoice. Other purchases included over £23,000 in luxury stationery from Montblanc and a robotic lawnmower worth more than £3,000, described as legal fees. Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds described police footage of Henry Nowak’s death as harrowing, while shadow minister Alex Burghart called the treatment abhorrent. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage issued an online address claiming a two-tier culture. Policing minister Sarah Jones is due to address MPs later.
