by Democrat reporter
SNP supporters have increased donations to the party in the week after Nicola Sturgeon’s estranged husband admitted to stealing money to fund his spending spree.
John Swinney’s party received “several thousand” pounds in donations from supporters despite Peter Murrell admitting he had embezzled £400,000 of SNP funds, it is understood.
The figure is said to represent a “significant” uptick from what the SNP – which has struggled to raise money in recent years – would typically receive in a week.
Party insiders said the dramatic increase showed its supporters’ “resolve” to continue pursuing independence in the face of Murrell’s “appalling” actions.
But former members opposed to the SNP’s current leadership said the figures were evidence of a “cult-like” mentality among those who viewed any scrutiny as a “Unionist conspiracy”.
Last Monday, Murrell admitted embezzling the funds to buy cars, high-end coffee machines and a motorhome.
Most of the cash is thought to have come from ordinary SNP supporters who raised money by organising raffle sales and leaving gifts in their wills.
But despite these revelations, supporters have become more generous.
“SNP members and the party have been the victim of an appalling betrayal and theft, but clearly folk retain that resolve to deliver independence and put faith in the only party that can deliver it.
“Clearly the strength of support for the party demonstrates that whilst SNP members are deeply betrayed by Murrell’s crimes, it will not diminish the depth of their belief and commitment to the cause of independence and to the party of independence – the SNP.”
Supporters don’t blame the SNP
One member told The Daily Telegraph he would continue to fund the party through a monthly subscription.
The member said: “People are rallying around the flag. They don’t blame the current leadership; they don’t blame party structure. They blame Peter Murrell as an individual.”
He admitted there was a “degree of anger” among SNP supporters but insisted this was directed against Murrell rather than the party as a whole.
The member said supporters felt “defiant” and wanted to defend the party against opponents trying to use the scandal to attack the SNP.
He added: “There’s been a positive feeling since the election. Everyone has a mind to refill the party’s war chest after the election.”
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Some former members criticised the rise in donations, saying it was indicative of a mentality which treats the SNP like an “untouchable religion”.
The ex-member said: “The reported surge in recent donations isn’t a sign of political strength; it is driven by a cult-like tier of loyalists who view legitimate scrutiny as a Unionist conspiracy.
“This mentality treats the party like an untouchable religion – something totally alien to the public. Regular people only catch flashes of this scandal in the headlines, and they don’t see a noble cause; they see untrustworthy politicians.
“For both the SNP and the wider independence movement, it is vital that this type of rot comes out in the wash, regardless of who else is found culpable.”
A business owner who sold goods to Murrell, paid for with stolen money, said he would return the cash to the SNP and called on others to do the same.
Murrell bought three birdfeeders from Graham Evans’s company, Jacobi Jayne & Co, for £155.
Mr Evans told The Telegraph he would return the money to the party because he had “no desire to profit” from Murrell’s “breach of trust”.
Mr Evans said: “Following the recent conviction of Peter Murrell, the former chief executive of the Scottish National Party (SNP), the list of luxury items purchased with misappropriated funds has been widely reported. Among these were three birdfeeders from our company, Jacobi Jayne & Co.
“While we are in the business of supporting garden wildlife, we have no desire to profit from a breach of trust. We are, therefore, donating the full £155 received for those items back to the SNP.
“We are an entirely apolitical organisation, but we believe that stolen money has no place in our accounts. It is our hope that other suppliers named in the investigation will follow suit to ensure such funds are returned to their rightful owners.”
Mr Swinney has insisted his party are the true victims of Murrell’s actions despite claims its leaders brushed aside concerns over the way the finances were being overseen.
On Thursday, an emotional First Minister accused the Scottish Labour leader of “victim blaming” when Anas Sarwar cited the party’s other scandals as evidence of a culture of “secrecy”.