Peter Murrell, the former chief executive of the Scottish National Party (SNP) and estranged husband of former first minister Nicola Sturgeon, has been sentenced to five years and three months in prison for embezzling more than £400,000 from the party over a 12-year period. The sentence was handed down at the High Court in Edinburgh by Lord Young, who described Murrell's actions as a 'calculated crime of dishonesty' involving 'a significant breach of trust' that affected both the party and its donors.
Details of the Embezzlement
Murrell admitted to stealing £400,315.65 between 2010 and 2022, using the funds to purchase luxury items including a motorhome, a Jaguar SUV, Montblanc pens, luxury watches, Lalique salt and pepper grinders, and 2kg of coffee granules. He covered up his theft by entering false accounting codes in the SNP's accounts and submitting falsified invoices.
Lord Young noted that if Murrell had pleaded not guilty and gone to trial, he would have faced a seven-year sentence. The judge emphasized the need for deterrence, stating, 'Let me make it clear to you, one factor in the sentence I impose today will be to act as a deterrent to any senior officials in other large organisations who might be tempted to abuse their position in the way you did.'
Impact on the SNP and Repayment
Murrell's theft represented 0.69% of the SNP's total headquarters spending of £58 million during the 12-year period. During a police interview in April 2024, detectives challenged Murrell about the negative impact on the party's cash reserves, which were so low in one year that he loaned the party £107,000. When asked what he would say to party members, Murrell twice replied 'no comment.'
John Scullion KC, Murrell's defence lawyer, stated that Murrell took full responsibility and felt 'guilt and remorse,' describing him as 'overwhelmed by feelings of embarrassment and shame.' Scullion confirmed that Murrell has sufficient funds to repay the stolen amount under a criminal confiscation order, but a hearing on the final figure was postponed until mid-September.
Previous Allegations and Police Investigation
Party sources revealed that Murrell had been previously accused of theft in the late 1980s, allegedly stealing about £500 while working for former SNP leader Alex Salmond. Salmond repaid the sum and kept it quiet, but reportedly never fully trusted Murrell. This information was not disclosed to John Swinney, who appointed Murrell as chief executive in 2001.
The police investigation, Operation Branchform, also raised questions about Nicola Sturgeon's cooperation. She was arrested as a suspect in June 2023 but later cleared. Officers said she did not answer questions during her interview, though her lawyer, Aamer Anwar, called anonymous police briefings 'beyond outrageous' and noted that she was neither charged nor convicted.
