Peter Murrell, the former chief executive of the Scottish National Party (SNP) and ex-husband of Nicola Sturgeon, has pleaded guilty to embezzling more than £400,000 from the party. The funds were used between 2010 and 2022 to finance a lavish lifestyle, including luxury watches, iPads, a Jaguar SUV, a VW Golf, a motor home, and a Lalique salt and pepper set worth £2,618.
Appearing at the High Court in Edinburgh on Monday, Murrell admitted stealing £400,310.65 after reaching a deal with prosecutors, avoiding a lengthy trial. Lord Young described the crime as a “gross breach of trust”. Murrell, dressed in a dark blue suit and black tie, was remanded in custody and led away in handcuffs. He faces a lengthy prison sentence, with sentencing scheduled for 23 June.
Nicola Sturgeon, the former SNP leader and first minister, issued a statement denying any knowledge of the thefts. “I am utterly appalled that he did so and cannot begin to understand why,” she said. “These are not my crimes. I was misled just as others were.” She added that being deceived by a husband she loved and trusted caused her “acute pain”.
Current SNP leader John Swinney expressed his personal horror and betrayal, fighting back tears during a press conference. “I’m gutted by this today,” he said, apologising to ordinary party members whose donations were stolen. Swinney noted that Murrell’s position made it inconceivable to others that he would steal, and that financial controls have since been tightened.
Political opponents questioned the credibility of denials by Sturgeon and Swinney. Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay and Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie suggested that such a large-scale fraud could not have gone unnoticed. Baillie called on Swinney to provide compensation to donors.
Murrell, who served as SNP chief executive for 22 years, was instrumental in the party’s 2007 Holyrood victory and 2011 landslide, which led to the 2014 independence referendum. He and Sturgeon were once considered the most powerful couple in British politics.
