Peter Murrell, Ex-SNP Chief, Pleads Guilty to Embezzling Over £400,000
Peter Murrell, the former chief executive of the Scottish National Party (SNP), pleaded guilty on Monday to embezzling more than £400,000 ($540,000) from the party between 2010 and 2023. He was remanded into custody at the High Court in Edinburgh, with sentencing scheduled for June 23.
Nature of the Embezzlement
According to court proceedings, Murrell used the embezzled funds for personal expenses. Purchases included a motorhome, two cars (one of which was a Jaguar), luxury watches, household items such as toilet seats, and goods from brands including Estee Lauder and Harrods.
Police investigations revealed that Murrell covered his tracks over the 12-year period by making false entries in the SNP's accounts.
"He showed utter contempt for the high public trust placed in him."
– Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Houston, Police Scotland
Background and Legal Context
Murrell is the estranged husband of former SNP leader and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. He resigned as SNP chief executive in March 2023 after admitting to misleading the media about party membership numbers and was arrested that month.
- Nicola Sturgeon resigned as First Minister in February 2023 and was later arrested as part of the probe into the party's finances.
- In March 2024, police cleared Sturgeon of any wrongdoing related to the investigation.
- Former party treasurer Colin Beattie was also cleared in March 2025.
The police investigation cost £2 million ($2.7 million) in public funds, according to Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Houston.
Reactions
Nicola Sturgeon stated she had "no knowledge or suspicion whatsoever that he was using SNP funds for personal purposes" and described the situation as having a "profound personal impact."
Current SNP leader and First Minister John Swinney described the plea as "a terrible breach of trust and an overwhelming betrayal," adding that he was "horrified" and "betrayed."
Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie stated it was "inconceivable" that Sturgeon knew nothing and called on Swinney to explain what the party knew.