Lawyer Clarifies Peter Murrell Never Had Access to Yes Scotland Funds
Traveloasisspot.com – Aamer Anwar, the solicitor representing Peter Murrell, has issued a definitive statement confirming that Peter Murrell never had access to the financial resources of Yes Scotland. This assertion comes as part of ongoing efforts to distinguish between Murrell’s separate legal matters involving SNP funds and the campaign organization’s independently managed accounts. The clarification addresses widespread media reports suggesting a financial connection between the two entities.
Statement from Yes Scotland’s Former Chief Executive
On behalf of Blair Jenkins, who served as Yes Scotland’s chief executive, Mr. Anwar presented a comprehensive response to allegations concerning the organization’s finances. The statement specifically addressed claims that approximately £1.5 million had vanished from Yes Scotland’s records, characterizing such accusations as entirely false. According to the documentation, every expenditure made by the campaign underwent proper auditing procedures throughout its operational period.
“To make it perfectly clear, Mr. Murrell never at any time had access to Yes Scotland’s accounts.”
The financial records demonstrate that Yes Scotland accumulated donations totaling £2,403,976 during 2013. These contributions were properly classified within the accounts under the category of “other income.” After deducting operational expenses amounting to £1,535,855, the organization concluded the year with a surplus of £878,978. These operational costs included staff salaries, rental payments for the Glasgow headquarters, and expenses associated with campaign events and published materials.
Mr. Anwar emphasized the organization’s transparency, noting that Yes Scotland voluntarily submitted complete financial accounts covering 2013, 2014, and 2015 to Police Scotland for independent review. He stated: “All of the income received by Yes Scotland is fully accounted for and it is grossly defamatory to say otherwise.” The lawyer further explained that the financial figures had been misinterpreted by critics.
“A balance sheet surplus of £878,978 and income of £2,403,976 doesn’t mean that over £1.5 million had gone missing or been stolen, rather that Yes Scotland’s operating costs were about £1.5 million in 2012-13,” Mr. Anwar clarified. He concluded by addressing what he described as deliberate efforts to create confusion: “There appears to have been a desperate attempt to link Peter Murrell’s criminal conduct in the SNP to the financial affairs of Yes Scotland.”
This legal statement arrives shortly after Murrell received a prison sentence for embezzling more than £400,000 from SNP funds, a case that has attracted significant public attention. The campaign group was established with the primary objective of advocating for a positive vote during the 2014 Scottish independence referendum. By establishing clear boundaries between the two organizations, the statement aims to prevent further conflation of separate financial matters and provides strong evidence against allegations of misappropriation.
