Former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell admits embezzling £400,000 in party funds

Peter Murrell, the former chief executive of the Scottish National Party (SNP), has confessed to embezzling over £400,000 from the political party. This admission occurred during a court hearing at the High Court in Edinburgh, where the 61-year-old, who is the estranged husband of former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, was remanded into custody.

Throughout the period spanning from August 2010 to October 2022, Murrell misappropriated party funds to acquire luxury items including jewelry, cosmetics, two vehicles, and a motorhome, resulting in a total embezzlement amount of £400,310.65.

Having been at the helm of the SNP for more than two decades, Murrell now faces the prospect of a significant prison sentence, with his sentencing scheduled for 23 June.

In a somber courtroom atmosphere, Murrell was led away in handcuffs following his guilty plea. Judge Lord Young characterized Murrell's actions as a "gross breach of trust."

Initially, when the details of the charges surfaced earlier this year, there was an allegation of embezzlement amounting to £459,046.49 over a period from August 2010 to January 2023. However, during the High Court proceedings, it was confirmed that the total amount had been adjusted to £400,310.65, and the timeline of the offenses had been shortened by three months.

The current SNP leader and First Minister John Swinney expressed profound regret on behalf of the party members, stating his "horror" at Murrell's behavior, which he labeled as an "overwhelming betrayal."

Detailed purchases

The court revealed extensive documentation detailing 125 pages of Murrell's expenditures. The most substantial single transaction took place in 2020, when he used party funds to buy a luxury motorhome valued at £124,550. He was accused of fabricating documents to present this transaction as a legitimate party expense.

Murrell initiated his series of major purchases with the acquisition of a £33,000 Volkswagen Golf in early 2016, funded by £16,489 of SNP finances. In 2019, he utilized £57,500 from party funds to acquire a Jaguar I-PACE, later selling it for £47,378.76 two years later.

Additionally, Murrell employed SNP resources to purchase two Bremont watches totaling £9,350; a £4,225 Starwalker World Time fountain pen; and a £3,500 Hamilton and Inches silver wine coaster.

The former SNP chief executive acknowledged making hundreds of other purchases with party funds, encompassing both luxury and everyday items, including:

• Jura Giga 5 Cromo coffee machine - £3,232
• Smythson dressing table and tea set - £3,192 (after discount)
• Husqvarna robotic lawn mower - £3,070 (including installation fees)
• Feuilles salt and pepper grinders - £2,618
• Shetland Jewellery nine carat gold pendant - £425
• Three Nintendo 3DS handheld consoles - £350
• PlayStation 3 console - £247
• Multiple video games, including FIFA, Battlefield, The Sims, Grand Theft Auto, and Pac Man
• Caran d'Ache pencil sharpener - £110
• Chopsticks set - £102
• Timberland men's loafers - £100
• Men's "slouch pouch" onesie - £76
• Ideal Standard toilet seats - £67
• Goldfish Chinese takeaway curry sauce paste - £12
• Staples - £4
• Neutrogena hand cream - £2.50

Career and investigation

Having served as SNP chief executive for 22 years, Murrell guided the party through a period of significant electoral achievements. He resigned in March 2023 after acknowledging that the media had been misled regarding SNP membership figures.

A month after his resignation, Murrell was arrested in connection with a high-profile police operation involving a raid on the residence he shared with Sturgeon, as well as the SNP's Edinburgh offices. This investigation, designated Operation Branchform, was initiated in 2021 to scrutinize the whereabouts of £660,000 in SNP donations.

In April 2024, Murrell was charged with embezzlement, subsequently making his first court appearance in March 2025.

Both Sturgeon and former SNP treasurer Colin Beattie were also detained as part of the Operation Branchform inquiry. However, they denied any allegations of wrongdoing, and authorities have confirmed that both are no longer under investigation.

Responses and statements

In the aftermath of Murrell's court appearance, Sturgeon expressed feelings of anger, hurt, sadness, and distress about the repercussions of his actions on family, friends, and the SNP.

Sturgeon stated, "I had no knowledge or suspicion whatsoever that he was using SNP funds for personal purposes. I am utterly appalled that he did so and cannot begin to understand why."

She further noted that while there would inevitably be "political discussion in light of what has happened," the ordeal represented a "profound personal trauma" for her, and she would refrain from further commentary.

In a statement provided through her solicitor Aamer Anwar, Sturgeon addressed inquiries regarding her lack of awareness of Murrell's purchases. She clarified that regarding many items, including expensive watches and gaming consoles, she was completely unaware of their acquisition.

"Indeed, with regards to the item of highest value—a campervan—I only learned of its existence during the police investigation in early 2023, and it was not parked in our driveway as some have suggested," she clarified.

She also emphasized that for items she was aware of Peter having purchased, she had no reason to suspect that he was using party funds. "We both earned high salaries and, given the responsibilities of my job, we rarely socialized or took holidays together. We maintained separate bank accounts, and I had no access to his financial records."

Sturgeon announced in January of the previous year that she and Murrell had decided to conclude their marriage.

Swinney, who was at the forefront of the SNP during Murrell's tenure as chief executive beginning in 2001, expressed a deep sense of anguish on behalf of party members. The First Minister, having spent nearly a decade as Sturgeon's deputy, indicated that he never suspected any misconduct on Murrell's part.

"By embezzling from the SNP, Peter Murrell was stealing the hopes, the dreams, and the aspirations of thousands of people across Scotland," Swinney stated at a news conference. "These circumstances should never have come to pass."

Swinney also refuted claims that the SNP's management protocols had "failed," asserting that they had been "bypassed." He reaffirmed that the party now adheres to principles of "good governance and financial management."