Scotland: Former SNP executive admits embezzling party funds

Peter Murrell, estranged husband of former Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon, pleaded guilty to embezzling more than 400,000 from the Scottish National Party. He served as the SNP’s chief executive from 2001 until 2023, when his arrest shocked the UK. Police investigated whether about 600,000 in SNP donations for the independence campaign may have been used for other purposes. Nicola Sturgeon was arrested as well but cleared of wrongdoing, and she announced her divorce from Murrell in January 2025. Murrell appeared in Edinburgh High Court, was remanded in custody, and will return on June 2 for further details and on June 23 for sentencing. He admitted using the money to buy a motorhome, two cars, and luxury goods.

"Murrell was appointed as the Scottish National Party's (SNP) chief executive in 2001 and remained in the position until 2023, when his arrest shocked the UK. He was arrested as part of a police investigation into whether about 600,000 of donations for the SNP to campaign for Scottish independence may have been used for other purposes. Sturgeon was herself arrested too but cleared of any wrongdoing. She announced her divorce from Murrell in January 2025."

"Murrell, who is 61 years old, pleaded guilty at the High Court in Edinburgh and has been remanded in custody. He will appear in court again on June 2, when full details of his crimes will be disclosed in court. Murrell will be sentenced on June 23. He originally faced an embezzlement charge amounting to 459,000 but pleaded guilt to reduced charges in court."

"Murrell admitted he used the money to buy a motorhome, two cars and luxury goods. "By embezzling from the SNP, Peter Murrell was stealing the hopes, the dreams and the aspirations of thousands of people all over Scotland, people who gave what they could over many years in the hope that it would help contribute to a better country," SNP leader John Swinney said at a press conference. "I am horrified, I am betrayed.""

"The plea caps a five-year police investigation and a tumultuous period for Scotland's dominant party and the former power couple once at its helm. The arrests of Nicola Sturgeon and her husband at the time was deeply embarrassing for the pro-independence party which has dominated Scottish politics for the last two decades."

Read at www.dw.com