Peter Murrell, the former chief executive of the Scottish National Party (SNP) and husband of ex-first minister Nicola Sturgeon, has pleaded guilty to embezzling more than £400,000 from the party. The admission, made at the High Court in Edinburgh on Monday, means Murrell faces a lengthy prison sentence when he is sentenced on 23 June.
Murrell used the stolen funds between 2010 and 2022 to finance a lavish lifestyle, purchasing items including a luxury motor home, a Jaguar SUV, a VW Golf, boutique cosmetics, iPads, and a Lalique Feuilles salt and pepper set worth £2,618. The full details of his embezzlement emerged after he reached a deal with prosecutors, avoiding a trial.
Lord Young described Murrell's actions as a 'gross breach of trust'. Murrell was remanded in custody and led away in handcuffs. Nicola Sturgeon, who was married to Murrell at the time of the thefts, issued a statement on Instagram denying any knowledge or suspicion of his crimes, saying she was 'utterly appalled' and had been 'misled'.
Current SNP leader John Swinney also expressed betrayal, fighting back tears during a press conference. He said he was 'gutted' and that the level of 'personal horror, betrayal' was difficult to convey. Swinney acknowledged that Murrell was able to steal for so long because no one could conceive someone in his position would do so, and noted that party financial controls have since been tightened.
Political opponents, including Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay and Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie, questioned the credibility of Sturgeon and Swinney's denials of any suspicion. Baillie called on Swinney to provide compensation to party donors. Sturgeon's lawyer stated she had no knowledge of Murrell's purchases, as they had separate bank accounts and she had no access to his financial records.
