Peter Murrell, former chief executive of the Scottish National Party, pleaded guilty in Edinburgh High Court to embezzling £400,310.65 between August 2010 and October 2022. The charge involved money taken during part of his 22-year tenure, and an amended indictment reduced the amount from more than £459,000. Nicola Sturgeon, his former wife and former SNP leader, said she was angry, hurt, sad, and very distressed about the impact of his actions on family, friends, and the SNP. She stated she had no knowledge or suspicion that SNP funds were used for personal purposes and said she was utterly appalled. She said she was fully cleared after a thorough investigation and described the events as both political and personal trauma.
"“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.”"
"“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.”"
"Ms Sturgeon said she had “no knowledge or suspicion whatsoever that he was using SNP funds for personal purposes”, adding that she was “utterly appalled” by his actions. She continued: “That I was fully cleared after a thorough investigation underlines that these are not my crimes. I was misled, just as others were.”"
"The former SNP leader accepted there would be a “political discussion in the light of what has happened” but said that for her this “has also been a profound personal trauma”."
Read at Irish Independent
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