A sharp slice of what matters in Scottish law

Former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell was able to approve his own expenses without receipts and manipulate party accounting systems, court proceedings have revealed. Prosecutors told the High Court in Edinburgh further details of how Murrell embezzled more than £400,000 over 12 years, disguising personal purchases, falsifying invoices and using party funds to buy vehicles, including the £124,550 motorhome that remained largely unused. The court heard that Murrell used his SNP charge card - as well as those of other staff members - to make purchases. He also used direct bank transfers from the SNP account and had direct access to the accounting system. While Murrell could log purchases himself, the court heard that the majority of such work was carried out by a staff member under his direction. First Minister John Swinney expressed "horror" at Murrell's "colossal breach of trust" but admitted SNP controls had been inadequate. Despite resisting a parliamentary inquiry into wider cultural and governance issues, the party faces mounting pressure amid the continuing fallout from the scandal.

 

BBC News

The Times

The Daily Record

The Scotsman

 

Livingston MP Gregor Poynton has pledged to raise concerns with Police Scotland over illegal e-bike use after new figures revealed a sharp rise in seizures. Police confiscated 547 illegal e-bikes in 2025, up from 330 in 2024 and 103 in 2023, with a further 195 seized in early 2026. Scottish Labour is urging ministers to strengthen enforcement, including exploring drone technology and additional police powers. Poynton said residents are increasingly concerned about dangerous riding in public spaces and called for greater action to improve safety and support lawful e-bike users.

 

Edinburgh Evening News

 

Leonard Kastrati, a Paisley-based businessman, has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for threatening a judge on social media. Following his brother Liridon Kastrati's 10-year sentence for attempted murder, Leonard offered £500k for the judge's address. He posted violent messages on his car wash's Instagram account, including threats against police officers and the judge. Sheriff Eoin McGinty condemned Kastrati's actions, noting: "The administration of justice depends on judges to do so without fear of personal harm."

 

Glasgow Evening Times

A former care worker who sexually assaulted a vulnerable care home resident and raped another woman has been jailed for eight years. Robert Wilson, 53, was convicted of abusing Yvonne Carnie, who suffered from a debilitating brain disorder, and raping a woman in East Lothian. Sentencing him, Lady Ross described his actions as a “terrible breach of trust”. Wilson was placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely and will remain under supervision for three years after release. Carnie’s family said she died before seeing justice done.

 

BBC News

Prosecutors have urged a jury to convict Jay Stewart, 18, and a 15-year-old boy of murdering 16-year-old Kayden Moy on Irvine Beach in May 2025. The court heard the pair travelled with admitted killer Cole Turley seeking revenge after an earlier gang-related incident. Prosecutors said the trio acted together in a planned violent confrontation, pursuing and stabbing Moy before celebrating afterwards and discussing whether he had died.

 

BBC News

Harper Macleod will host the Natural Futures Summit on 15 September 2026 in Inverness, focusing on Scotland's natural capital and energy transition. The sector contributes £40.1bn to the economy and supports over 260,000 jobs, representing 14.4% of total output. The summit targets landowners, renewable energy developers, and policymakers, aiming to foster discussions on sustainability and rural land matters.

 

Scottish Legal News

Scottish accountants are calling for urgent reform of income tax and national insurance, according to a recent poll by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS). The survey revealed that 39% of members identified these taxes as the most pressing issues, far surpassing concerns over business rates. Katie Close, director of tax at ICAS, commented: "The strength of feeling around income tax and national insurance reflects the growing impact of fiscal drag."

 

Herald Scotland

Developers of small-scale hydropower projects have warned that Scotland risks losing investment because current renewable energy funding arrangements favour cheaper wind and solar schemes. Foster Turner Hydro has paused work on its planned Gaineamhach project near Gairloch, citing uncertainty over securing a government-backed electricity contract. Industry representatives are calling for dedicated funding for small hydropower within the Contracts for Difference scheme, similar to support available for wave and tidal energy.

 

BBC News

Former Rangers striker Ally McCoist is contesting a neighbour's bid to have two 90ft sycamore trees in his Bridge of Weir garden cut down. Retired pilot Alan Tyers claims the trees block light, damage his property and pose a safety risk. McCoist argues the trees are mature specimens, not a hedge under planning law, and contribute to the character of the conservation area. Renfrewshire Council rejected Tyers' application, with the dispute now under appeal to the Scottish Government.

 

The Times