A former party chief executive once at the heart of Scotland's political machine will learn his fate today as he faces a substantial jail term for embezzling more than £400,000 from the Scottish National Party.
Peter Murrell, the estranged husband of Nicola Sturgeon, used party funds over 12 years to buy everything from cars and a motorhome to kitchenware and toiletries, as well as jewellery, cosmetics, stationery and games consoles. He falsified accounting records and created fake invoices to cover his tracks.
“Former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell to be sentenced for embezzling over £400,000.”
The 61-year-old pleaded guilty to embezzling £400,310.65 at a court hearing on 25 May and has been remanded in custody since. He is due to be sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh.
The embezzlement came to light during a police investigation that began in 2021 after questions were raised about what happened to £667,000 raised for a second independence referendum campaign. Officers initially investigated potential fraud but uncovered Murrell's systematic theft using charge cards, bank transfers and fake invoices.
Murrell was first arrested in April 2023, weeks after resigning as SNP chief executive over a row about membership figures. That same month, police searched his Glasgow home – which he shared with Sturgeon – and SNP headquarters in Edinburgh.
Nicola Sturgeon, who stepped down as first minister in March 2023, was arrested as part of the investigation but later told she was no longer under suspicion. She has said she was "deceived, betrayed and lied to" by Murrell. The couple announced the end of their marriage last year.
First Minister John Swinney, who appointed Murrell as party chief executive in 2001, has apologised to SNP members and described the conduct as an "overwhelming betrayal". He has rejected calls for an inquiry, arguing that the four-year police investigation provided sufficient answers, and denied any attempts to shut down concerns about party finances.
Murrell now faces a substantial jail term when he is sentenced later today.