&w=1200&q=75)
Nicola Sturgeon Reacts to Ex-Husband's Guilty Plea in SNP Embezzlement Case
Nicola Sturgeon’s statement as she comes under pressure over estranged husband’s embezzlement
Image: The Independent
Nicola Sturgeon expressed deep distress after her ex-husband, Peter Murrell, pleaded guilty to embezzling over £400,000 from the Scottish National Party. Murrell, who served as the party's chief executive for 22 years, admitted to the crime in Edinburgh's High Court, leading to calls for accountability within the SNP.
- 01Peter Murrell embezzled £400,310.65 from the SNP over 12 years, using funds for personal purchases.
- 02Nicola Sturgeon stated she was unaware of Murrell's actions and expressed feelings of betrayal and distress.
- 03Current SNP leader John Swinney acknowledged the party's significant betrayal and expressed his shock over the situation.
- 04Murrell's actions included buying a motorhome and falsifying accounting records to conceal his embezzlement.
- 05Sentencing for Murrell is scheduled for June 23, with him currently remanded in custody.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
Nicola Sturgeon, former leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP), expressed profound distress after her ex-husband, Peter Murrell, pleaded guilty to embezzling over £400,000 from the party. Murrell, who served as the SNP's chief executive for 22 years, admitted to the crime during a court appearance in Edinburgh, where he was charged with embezzling £400,310.65 between August 2010 and October 2022. Sturgeon described her feelings as 'angry, hurt, sad, and very distressed,' emphasizing that she had no prior knowledge of Murrell's misuse of party funds. Current SNP leader John Swinney also expressed his shock, stating that the party had been 'badly let down' and that Murrell's actions constituted a gross breach of trust. The former chief executive used the embezzled funds for personal purchases, including a motorhome and luxury goods. Sentencing is set for June 23, with Murrell currently in custody.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
The embezzlement scandal has shaken the SNP, leading to calls for accountability and transparency within the party.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
Reader Poll
What do you think should be the next steps for the SNP following this scandal?
Connecting to poll...
More about Scottish National Party
Peter Murrell's Embezzlement Exposed: A Major Betrayal for SNP and Scottish Politics
Mail Online • May 25, 2026
Scandal Unfolds: Peter Murrell's Misuse of SNP Funds Raises Questions About Leadership
Mail Online • May 25, 2026
Former SNP Chief Executive Pleads Guilty to Embezzling Party Funds
Cbc • May 25, 2026
Read the original article
Visit the source for the complete story.