Murrell admitted the offences on the Excessive Courtroom in Edinburgh after an investigation into the occasion’s funds.
Revealed On 25 Might 2026
The previous chief govt of the ruling Scottish Nationwide Occasion (SNP), and ex-husband of former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, has pleaded responsible to embezzling greater than 400,000 British kilos ($540,000) from the occasion’s funds.
Sixty-one-year-old Peter Murrell admitted the offences on the Excessive Courtroom in Edinburgh on Monday, following a years-long investigation into the SNP’s funds and the alleged diversion of donations supposed to assist the Scottish independence marketing campaign.
Really helpful Tales
listing of 4 objectsfinish of listing
Murrell, who was the SNP’s chief govt from 2001 to 2023, was remanded in custody by the decide earlier than a sentencing listening to scheduled for June 23.
Decide James Younger mentioned Murrell was chargeable for a “gross breach of belief” for embezzling offences between August 2010 and October 2022.
Murrell’s arrest got here after a prolonged investigation into the diversion of 600,000 British kilos ($810,400) in SNP donations supposed to assist the occasion’s marketing campaign for Scottish independence.
Though a part of the UK, Scotland has a devolved authorities with powers over areas akin to well being and schooling. However the nation has thus far rejected requires full independence.
Sturgeon, the previous head of Scotland’s administration, give up as SNP chief and first minister in February 2023.
Murrell was arrested in April that yr after officers searched the house he shared with Sturgeon close to Glasgow, as a part of an investigation into the SNP’s funds.
Sturgeon was herself arrested in June 2023 and questioned for seven hours earlier than being launched with out cost.
Present First Minister John Swinney, who was re-elected to his submit following the SNP’s victory in native elections in Might, mentioned he felt “betrayed” by Murrell’s actions.
“By embezzling from the SNP, Peter Murrell was stealing the hopes, the desires and the aspirations of hundreds of individuals throughout Scotland,” mentioned Swinney.
‘I’m betrayed’
Sturgeon, who was cleared within the probe final yr, introduced in January 2025 that she and Murrell had separated.
In an Instagram submit, she mentioned she was “totally appalled” by her former accomplice’s admission and that she had “no data or suspicion by any means”.
“To be deceived and let down by a husband I liked and trusted has prompted me acute ache,” she added.
Sturgeon stepped down as a lawmaker earlier this yr, ending an almost 30-year profession as one of many independence motion’s most important figureheads.
