The former SNP chief executive, who last week admitted embezzling more than £400,000 from the party between 2010 and 2022, was initially accused of spending party money on 108 luxury Andrex toilet rolls costing £55.98 on March 7 2020.

Forty-eight hours later, Ms Sturgeon appeared at a press conference urging Scots to “apply common sense” amid growing fears of shortages in supermarkets.

The toilet roll purchase was among a number of allegations later removed from the indictment before Murrell formally entered his guilty plea at the High Court in Edinburgh.

Court papers also alleged he bought 16 bottles of shower spray, 144 bottles of Evian mineral water and four packs of liquid laundry detergent in the following weeks.

Murrell admitted embezzling £400,310 after investigators found he had used party funds on a range of personal purchases, including vehicles, cosmetics and household goods.

He was remanded in custody following his guilty plea and is due to be sentenced later this month. Reports suggest he may require special accommodation in prison because of the high-profile nature of the case and concerns for his safety.