Video games, watches, a motorhome: What was bought in Scottish National Party embezzlement scandal

June 3, 2026 - 00:25

LONDON (AP) - The estranged husband of former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon used fake invoices and doctored accounting records to steal over 400,000 pounds, or about 540,000 dollars, from the Scottish National Party. Court documents released this week detail how the money was spent, revealing a trail of personal purchases that included luxury watches, video game consoles, and even a motorhome.

The man at the center of the scandal, who served as the party's treasurer for years, admitted to the embezzlement in a previous hearing. Investigators found that he created a series of bogus invoices for services that were never rendered, then falsified the party's books to cover his tracks. The scheme ran for several years before it was uncovered during a broader financial audit.

Prosecutors outlined a list of items bought with the stolen funds. Among the most notable were high-end watches worth thousands of pounds, multiple gaming systems and games, and a recreational vehicle used for personal travel. The purchases stood in stark contrast to the party's public image of fiscal responsibility during a period of intense political campaigning.

The case has been a major blow to the SNP, which has dominated Scottish politics for over a decade. Sturgeon, who resigned as first minister last year, has not been accused of any wrongdoing. Her husband's sentencing is expected later this month, with legal experts predicting a significant prison term given the scale of the theft and the breach of public trust.