THE SNP have offered refunds to anyone who donated to party fundraisers which were ostensibly to fight a second independence referendum.
Between 2017 and 2019, SNP funding drives raised more than £600,000 which donors were told had been put into a “ring-fenced” pot to fight a second referendum.
However, that money did not appear in the SNP’s accounts in 2020, leading police to open a probe in 2021 into the party’s finances that ultimately uncovered embezzlement on the part of then-chief executive Peter Murrell.
Although police found that no separate ring-fenced pot ever existed, they did not uncover sufficient evidence of fraud linked to the £600,000 for anyone to face criminal prosecution. First Minister John Swinney said earlier this year that the funding had been used for “the ongoing activities” of the SNP.
Now, a group civil action asking for repayment of the funds is being led by Stuart Campbell, who writes the Wings Over Scotland blog, alleging that they were collected under false pretences.
A civil claim seeking to recover the funds would be subject to a lower standard of proof than a criminal prosecution: the balance of probabilities rather than beyond reasonable doubt.
An opinion obtained by Campbell from Roddy Dunlop KC, the dean of the Faculty of Advocates, said that a “civil claim for fraudulent breach of trust is close to irresistible”.
Dunlop suggested that the SNP may also be liable for “damages for distress or inconvenience”, and to pay compound interest on the donations of 8% per annum, which “on payments made in March 2017 would mean a total interest rate of almost 100%: i.e. for a payment of £1000 paid then, £2000 would now be repayable”.
In response, an SNP spokesperson offered to refund anyone who had donated to the supposedly ring-fenced funds.
A party spokesperson said: “These were the issues which were fully explored during the course of the forensic police investigation – and which resulted in no action taken against the SNP.
“In the course of this complex and extensive police investigation, the criminal actions of Peter Murrell were uncovered and the SNP was found to be the victim of embezzlement.
“A small number of donors to this independence campaign requested refunds and all those making a legitimate request received a full refund.
"Anyone else who donated and wishes their money back can request a refund by contacting the SNP.”
In April 2023, then-first minister Humza Yousaf said that people who had donated to the SNP fundraisers would not be reimbursed. In May 2026, First Minister John Swinney appeared to reiterate this position.
Asked if he would apologise to those who donated to the fund or if their money would be returned, Swinney said: "Party members have made those donations to the SNP. We don't have that money, it's been stolen from us.
"I can confidently say to members of the party that the money they donate to us is used to further the aims and objectives of the SNP, and it always will be.”
