Nicola Sturgeon has spoken of her anger and distress after her ex-husband, Peter Murrell, admitted to embezzling more than £400,000 from the Scottish National Party (SNP). The former Scottish first minister said she was “utterly appalled” by the actions of Murrell, the party’s former chief executive, who pleaded guilty at the High Court in Edinburgh on Monday.
Details of the Embezzlement
Murrell, 61, admitted embezzling £400,310.65 between August 2010 and October 2022, a period covering much of his 22-year tenure as chief executive. He pleaded guilty to an amended indictment that reduced the amount from over £459,000. The court heard that Murrell used party funds to buy a motorhome worth £124,550, luxury goods, and contributed towards the purchase of two cars. He also falsified accounting records to conceal his actions.
Sturgeon’s Response
In a statement posted on social media, Ms Sturgeon, who stepped down as an MSP earlier this month, expressed her shock and betrayal. “I am angry, hurt, sad and very distressed about the impact of his actions on family, friends and the SNP,” she said. “To be deceived and let down by a husband I loved and trusted has caused me acute pain. Why he acted as he did is, and always will be, beyond my comprehension.”
She emphasised that she had no knowledge of the embezzlement and had been fully cleared after a thorough investigation. “That I was fully cleared after a thorough investigation underlines that these are not my crimes. I was misled, just as others were,” she added.
Political Reactions
Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said the plea “does not put the issue to bed” and called on current SNP leader John Swinney to provide further explanations. Mr Swinney, who was recently re-elected as Scotland’s first minister, described the case as a “tough day” for the party. “I am gutted by this today,” he told a press conference. He accused Murrell of “whole scale deception” and said the money had been “stolen” from the party.
Mr Swinney stressed that Murrell was “exclusively responsible” for the embezzlement and that he had never suspected the former chief executive. “It is the conduct of Peter Murrell that has got us into that position,” he said. “The SNP has been badly, badly, badly let down by its former chief executive.”
Court Proceedings
At the High Court, Judge Lord Young told Murrell: “You have pleaded guilty to a charge of embezzlement over a period of 12 years. You embezzled just over £400,000 from the Scottish National Party. As the chief executive officer of that organisation throughout that period your actions constitute a gross breach of trust.”
Murrell was first arrested in April 2023 as part of a police investigation into SNP finances and was charged in April 2024. He appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court in March 2025, where he faced a charge of embezzlement and made no plea. Sentencing is scheduled for 23 June, and Murrell has been remanded in custody.
