Nicola Sturgeons husband pleads guilty.

Well said Oldfrill

MT62

Cardamom

So let me get this straight: a £100k+ motor home and 2 expensive cars suddenly appears on the drive, the house is slowly filled with umpteen very expensive coffee machines, and your beloved is suddenly dressing like a dandy, after years of dressing like the Pilsbury dough man. And oor wee Nicky never noticed a thing. Not even all the shavings from all the pencils he's been sharpening. Hmmmm.... something 🐟🎣🦈 here me thinks.

😂😂😂😂

I don’t think you have ‘got this straight’. The van was never in their drive, and he falsified documents to say it had been bought by the SNP, and it appeared in their accounts.It sat on his mother’s drive, and had done 4 miles when it was impounded. Two expensive cars didn’t ‘appear on the drive’ either, and his six figure salary was more than enough to buy a Jaguar, as well as an expensive coffee machine ( or machines over the years). He may have sent one to his office, or anywhere, remember he had gone to great lengths to hide his crimes. She actually appeared on telly a number of years ago talking about an expensive coffee machine they had in their kitchen.
This was not a couple living on minimum wage who suddenly started spending, and I think her explanation that they were both high earners, and didn’t spend on extravagant holidays etc is entirely plausible. I just find it sad how many people seem determined to see Nicola Sturgeon implicated, and quote inaccurate facts as proof.

Her implication is highly indicated by her covering up the glaring gaps in the books for years. Where did she think the money had gone?

I heard some of yesterday’s Call You and Yours on Radio 4 and several callers bravely told their stories of shopping addiction and how they had learned to deal with it - worth a listen.

Aveline

Her implication is highly indicated by her covering up the glaring gaps in the books for years. Where did she think the money had gone?

But it appears there were no ‘glaring gaps in the books’, and it took a team of forensic accountants to find the evidence. Remember he was the Chief Executive and was using his party charge card and those of two others ( who were unaware he was doing it). He just entered his purchases into the system, which he had access to, under false codes, as you can see in this from BBC website. It’s not as simple as money going straight out and into his bank.

Concerns about the post of £600,000 raised for the SNP by donations were circling for years, and Sturgeon apparently resisted inquiries for some time. The argument that it was a parallel marriage and they were very busy and didn't share normal marital financial concerns I could just about accept, but the SNP enquiries: no. That was her job and she should have allowed investigation far earlier.
The compulsive spending is strange. I wonder if it was a way of getting back at her for marital problems?

Aveline

Her implication is highly indicated by her covering up the glaring gaps in the books for years. Where did she think the money had gone?

There is no evidence that Sturgeon or any other accountants or auditors covered up budget gaps- Murrell covered up the gaps himself.

See BBC today "we know how Murrell embezzled from the SNP- but not why" for the detail.

Prosecutors have given detail how Murrell did it over 12 years and his persistence, cynicism and devious tactics.

He used his privileged access to the SNP's accounting system in a whole range of ways- with credit cards, SNP charge cards and direct transfers of money. He put false data in the accounting system and claimed the embezzled funds were for hum drum party processes.

SNP auditors failed to notice his cover up over 12 years, as did party officials, not just Nicola Sturgeon. As end of year accounts are then externally audited and then went on to Electoral Commission- many others also failed to notice as Murrell's deceit was so sophisticated.

She can’t win either way, can she? In the eyes of the media and much of the public, she is either complicit, and lying to save her neck, or that age old story, a dumb fool of a woman taken in by a conman.

Daddima

Aveline

Her implication is highly indicated by her covering up the glaring gaps in the books for years. Where did she think the money had gone?

But it appears there were no ‘glaring gaps in the books’, and it took a team of forensic accountants to find the evidence. Remember he was the Chief Executive and was using his party charge card and those of two others ( who were unaware he was doing it). He just entered his purchases into the system, which he had access to, under false codes, as you can see in this from BBC website. It’s not as simple as money going straight out and into his bank.

Exactly Daddima. The facts won't stop people continuing to speculate however.

LemonJam

Daddima

Aveline

Her implication is highly indicated by her covering up the glaring gaps in the books for years. Where did she think the money had gone?

But it appears there were no ‘glaring gaps in the books’, and it took a team of forensic accountants to find the evidence. Remember he was the Chief Executive and was using his party charge card and those of two others ( who were unaware he was doing it). He just entered his purchases into the system, which he had access to, under false codes, as you can see in this from BBC website. It’s not as simple as money going straight out and into his bank.

Exactly Daddima. The facts won't stop people continuing to speculate however.

Whilst this is true, Murrell refused to use the proper system for claiming expenses which were questioned time and time again. The powers that be allowed that to continue and Nicola Sturgeon was one of those. Whilst she may not have 'known' what Murrell was up to, there were enough red flags for her to set up an enquiry. Had she done that, many of us would have been sympathetic to her plight. As it stands, it is difficult to watch her cry victim.

Yes there were whistleblowers and resignations about the lack of transparency.

She soon ditched her husband didn’t she? Which doesn’t say much about them having a good marriage.
I would have been furious with DP if he had acted in that way and very disappointed in him but would have stayed with him.
I don’t know if NS had any inkling or not, and it’s unlikely ever to be really known.

icanhandthemback

LemonJam

Daddima

Aveline

Her implication is highly indicated by her covering up the glaring gaps in the books for years. Where did she think the money had gone?

But it appears there were no ‘glaring gaps in the books’, and it took a team of forensic accountants to find the evidence. Remember he was the Chief Executive and was using his party charge card and those of two others ( who were unaware he was doing it). He just entered his purchases into the system, which he had access to, under false codes, as you can see in this from BBC website. It’s not as simple as money going straight out and into his bank.

Exactly Daddima. The facts won't stop people continuing to speculate however.

Whilst this is true, Murrell refused to use the proper system for claiming expenses which were questioned time and time again. The powers that be allowed that to continue and Nicola Sturgeon was one of those. Whilst she may not have 'known' what Murrell was up to, there were enough red flags for her to set up an enquiry. Had she done that, many of us would have been sympathetic to her plight. As it stands, it is difficult to watch her cry victim.

The "glaring gap" in the accounts of 2019 was identified in 2020. Ultimately it was reported to the police after members of a Committee, set up by Sturgeon, resigned as they claimed they could not get sight of the accounts.

The polis didn't just think "let's investigate the SNP today".

How it unfolded: The SNP finances controversy - BBC News share.google/g2XMNZIWJUVPZUOps

icanhandthemback

LemonJam

Daddima

Aveline

Her implication is highly indicated by her covering up the glaring gaps in the books for years. Where did she think the money had gone?

But it appears there were no ‘glaring gaps in the books’, and it took a team of forensic accountants to find the evidence. Remember he was the Chief Executive and was using his party charge card and those of two others ( who were unaware he was doing it). He just entered his purchases into the system, which he had access to, under false codes, as you can see in this from BBC website. It’s not as simple as money going straight out and into his bank.

Exactly Daddima. The facts won't stop people continuing to speculate however.

Whilst this is true, Murrell refused to use the proper system for claiming expenses which were questioned time and time again. The powers that be allowed that to continue and Nicola Sturgeon was one of those. Whilst she may not have 'known' what Murrell was up to, there were enough red flags for her to set up an enquiry. Had she done that, many of us would have been sympathetic to her plight. As it stands, it is difficult to watch her cry victim.

What Murrell actually did was he used his privileged access to the SNP's accounting system in a whole range of ways- with credit cards, SNP charge cards and direct transfers of money. He put false data in the accounting system and claimed the embezzled funds were for hum drum party processes.

Accountants, internal auditors, Party officials, external auditors and the Electoral Commission all did not notice his sophisticated deception over 12 years.

Was he an accountant before his elevation to the top of the SNP?

OldFrill

icanhandthemback

LemonJam

Daddima

Aveline

Her implication is highly indicated by her covering up the glaring gaps in the books for years. Where did she think the money had gone?

But it appears there were no ‘glaring gaps in the books’, and it took a team of forensic accountants to find the evidence. Remember he was the Chief Executive and was using his party charge card and those of two others ( who were unaware he was doing it). He just entered his purchases into the system, which he had access to, under false codes, as you can see in this from BBC website. It’s not as simple as money going straight out and into his bank.

Exactly Daddima. The facts won't stop people continuing to speculate however.

Whilst this is true, Murrell refused to use the proper system for claiming expenses which were questioned time and time again. The powers that be allowed that to continue and Nicola Sturgeon was one of those. Whilst she may not have 'known' what Murrell was up to, there were enough red flags for her to set up an enquiry. Had she done that, many of us would have been sympathetic to her plight. As it stands, it is difficult to watch her cry victim.

The "glaring gap" in the accounts of 2019 was identified in 2020. Ultimately it was reported to the police after members of a Committee, set up by Sturgeon, resigned as they claimed they could not get sight of the accounts.

The polis didn't just think "let's investigate the SNP today".

How it unfolded: The SNP finances controversy - BBC News share.google/g2XMNZIWJUVPZUOps

Indeed - it was a blogger who wondered where all the indyref donations had gone to in an article October 2020- some 10 or more years after Murrell began his embezzlement crime. 3 SNP officials resigned in March 2020.

What happened next in the SNP in relation to accounts management after his article and the resignations is my big unanswered question as I posted yesterday. A joint Holyrood/Westminster investigation has been suggested.

Did Johnson follow the strict Covid isolation rules, or did he 'faff' about having parties?
That photo of Her Majesty, sitting on her own at Prince Philip's funeral, had quite an effect.
Such short memories.

Oreo

She soon ditched her husband didn’t she? Which doesn’t say much about them having a good marriage.
I would have been furious with DP if he had acted in that way and very disappointed in him but would have stayed with him.
I don’t know if NS had any inkling or not, and it’s unlikely ever to be really known.

If I knew nothing beforehand about what he was doing I would be devastated to find that my marriage was built on lies, and he had lost me my job, home and credibility. I could not live with that level of betrayal, because I’d never be able to trust him again, so he would be out of my life.

I feel very sorry for his mother too, if she is still with us.

Maremia

Did Johnson follow the strict Covid isolation rules, or did he 'faff' about having parties?
That photo of Her Majesty, sitting on her own at Prince Philip's funeral, had quite an effect.
Such short memories.

I'm struggling to understand the relevance of these incidents to embezzlement of funds?
I remember both. I also remember the Scottish MP, Margaret Ferrier, who knowing she was positive for Covid decided to travel on the London underground and then on a train home to Scotland, while potentially infecting many people. That isn't relevant to this thread either.

Casdon

Oreo

She soon ditched her husband didn’t she? Which doesn’t say much about them having a good marriage.
I would have been furious with DP if he had acted in that way and very disappointed in him but would have stayed with him.
I don’t know if NS had any inkling or not, and it’s unlikely ever to be really known.

If I knew nothing beforehand about what he was doing I would be devastated to find that my marriage was built on lies, and he had lost me my job, home and credibility. I could not live with that level of betrayal, because I’d never be able to trust him again, so he would be out of my life.

I feel very sorry for his mother too, if she is still with us.

Clearly they did not have a good marriage. From the day she married him in 2010 he lied to her and behaved with sophisticated criminal deceit throughout until he was arrested.

Few women would be able to live with that level of betrayal lasting the whole duration of their marriage. She told LK he did not originally admit his criminal activity and has never explained why he did it etc. In those circumstances how ever could he rebuild her trust? Nobody could blame her decision to end her marriage.

Daddima it was in The i (I think) OH read that Murrell had packages/parcels delivered to NS's parents' and sister's house. If that is the case she must have wondered what was going on.

stewaris

Daddima it was in The i (I think) OH read that Murrell had packages/parcels delivered to NS's parents' and sister's house. If that is the case she must have wondered what was going on.

I have had many parcels delivered to my house for family members who are out at work all day. Should I wonder what is going on?

I have never had a parcel delivered to someone else's house unless I was sending a present. However, in this case, I think it would be highly unlikely that NS wouldn't know about it as both her parents and sister live in Ayrshire and that is a bit of a trek for people who live in Glasgow and work in Edinburgh.