STORY
Former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell has pleaded guilty to embezzling more than £400,000 from the party over a period of more than a decade. Murrell, who was chief executive of the Scottish National Party for more than 20 years and was formerly married to Nicola Sturgeon, admitted embezzling £400,310.65 when he appeared at the High Court in Edinburgh. He had originally faced a higher embezzlement charge of about £459,000, but pleaded guilty to an amended indictment and was remanded in custody ahead of sentencing on 23 June.
The offences took place between 2010 and 2023 and involved the misuse of SNP funds for personal spending. Reports said the spending included vehicles and luxury goods, with Murrell accused of using false documentation and party money to conceal purchases. A fuller narrative of the facts is expected to be heard when the case returns to court on 2 June.
The case follows the long-running Police Scotland investigation into SNP finances known as Operation Branchform. Sturgeon and former SNP treasurer Colin Beattie were also arrested during the inquiry but were later cleared of wrongdoing. Current SNP leader John Swinney described Murrell’s actions as a profound betrayal, while opposition parties called for further answers about financial oversight inside the party.