STORY
Peter Murrell has been sentenced to five years and three months in prison after admitting that he embezzled more than £400,000 from the SNP. The former party chief executive appeared at the High Court in Edinburgh after pleading guilty to taking party funds over a period of more than a decade.
Murrell had admitted embezzling the money from the party, with separate reporting saying the court heard that funds had been used for vehicles and luxury purchases. The case formed part of the long running investigation into SNP finances, which had previously involved searches and interviews with senior party figures.
Murrell was married to the former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon during the period covered by the case, though she has denied knowing about the misuse of funds. The sentence represents a major development for the SNP at a time when the party has already faced political pressure over its record in Government and its handling of internal governance.