By Jim Mennie

“DONORS RIGHTS TO TESTIFY ON SNP DONATIONS” Thursday 4th June 2026

As expected, there are many bad actors now looking to demand that Murrell return the funds stolen from the SNP coffers. It’s all smear and dirty politics of course intended to hurt the SNP but it’s already backfiring with increases in SNP membership and donations. Many SNP members and donors are already in print saying in effect “I gave away my money voluntarily, and I don’t want it back.” So this might be a bit of Déjà vu for some of you.

My good friend Para Handy (@para-handy.bsky.social) and I and I did a petition and many posts about SNP donations in 2024 and here is a video link https://youtu.be/ZHgD0vQ7rGE?si=2b-tGO7WJsDhRyY7

It’s a bit long as there was a lot to cover, but please watch to the end. (sound up btw) Quick summary of the petition and what happened Title/Purpose: “Donors Rights to Testify on SNP Donations” (sometimes referenced as donors’ right to make a statement/testify about how their donations to the SNP were used).

It was launched on the 38 Degrees platform in May 2024 (signatures collected mainly 24–26 May). The core request was for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) to directly contact SNP donors (using their own resources) and obtain statements confirming:

1. Donors were willing to testify (for the defence) that the money was spent in line with what motivated them to donate (no restrictions placed).

2. No special conditions or restrictions were attached to the donations.

3. Any refund requests and outcomes.

The background was Operation Branchform (the Police Scotland investigation into SNP finances, including Peter Murrell’s role). The petition argued that donations are voluntary/free-will payments with no inherent restrictions under UK law (Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000), so COPFS/Police Scotland had no automatic right to assume misuse without donor evidence.

It aimed to empower donors to have their say if the case reached court.

What happened to it: It gathered 832 signatures in under 30 hours (signers provided names/emails and explicitly declared willingness to make statements). On Sunday 26 May 2024 at 13:02, 38 Degrees abruptly took the petition down. They initially gave no explanation, then later cited that it related to an ongoing criminal investigation/case.

The platform refused to release the signer data to the petition owner (me), despite having created/owned it.

 Broader context and timing: This was during the long-running Operation Branchform probe (Murrell had already been charged with embezzlement by then; the full guilty plea and sentencing came much later in 2026). The petition and video highlighted donor frustration with how the investigation was being handled and the lack of donor voice.

I made the video to explain it all, first published in May 2024 right after the petition was pulled. It was re-shared in November 2024 and again later because the investigation was still dragging on with no resolution at the time.

The petition never reached massive mainstream news coverage, but it sparked discussion in pro-independence and SNP-critical circles (especially Facebook groups). On X it was more niche but tied directly to our Meidas Scotland’s content.

Social media posts on X relating specifically to the petition 19 Nov 2024 (@MeidasScotland):

Shared the YouTube link with a detailed explanation of the petition’s aims, the 830+ signatures, the sudden 38 Degrees takedown (“mysterious circumstances which were never fully explained. AngloState interference perhaps?”), and the legal/donor-rights argument. It directly quotes the petition’s requests to COPFS and argues “No donor evidence, no case.” This post explicitly ties the video to the May petition. 9 Dec 2024 (@MeidasScotland, multiple posts): Re-shared the video and petition details while SNP donations were back in the news. One example: “…since SNP Donations are back on the spotlight, perhaps @COPFS and @PoliceScotland would care to let

@theSNP donors where the investigation is at now. Here’s a video from MAY to remind you that SNP donors are willing to testify and have their say.” Another simply titled the video “Donors Rights to Testify On SNP Donations.” 19 Aug 2025 (@MeidasScotland): Another repost noting “I made this youtube video, ‘Donors Rights to Testify On SNP Donations’ back in november, but there’s still no conclusion by Police Scotland or Crown Office…” (referencing the ongoing delays). 

I have many other screen shots and correspondence from Donors.