Former Scottish National Party leader admits to embezzlement | Political Affairs

Murrell admitted the offenses at the High Court in Edinburgh following an investigation into the party’s finances.

The former leader of the ruling Scottish National Party (SNP), and ex-husband of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, has pleaded guilty to stealing more than 400,000 British pounds ($540,000) from the party’s funds.

Sixty-one-year-old Peter Murrell admitted the offenses at the High Court in Edinburgh on Monday, following a years-long investigation into the SNP’s finances and the combination of donations aimed at supporting the Scottish independence campaign.

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Murrell, who was SNP leader from 2001 to 2023, was remanded in custody by a judge ahead of a hearing on June 23.

Judge James Young said Murrell was responsible for the “breach of trust” in the offenses committed between August 2010 and October 2022.

Murrell’s arrest came after a long-running investigation into the diversion of 600,000 British pounds ($810,400) in SNP donations intended to support the Scottish independence party’s campaign.

Although part of the United Kingdom, Scotland has a devolved government with powers in areas such as health and education. But the country has so far rejected the request for independence.

Sturgeon, a former chief executive of Scotland, will step down as SNP leader and first minister in February 2023.

Murrell was arrested in April of the same year after police searched the home he shared with Sturgeon near Glasgow, as part of an investigation into SNP funding.

Sturgeon was arrested again in June 2023 and questioned for seven hours before being released without charge.

Current First Minister John Swinney, who was re-elected following the SNP’s local election victory in May, said he felt “betrayed” by Murrell’s actions.

“By taking over from the SNP, Peter Murrell was stealing the hopes, dreams and aspirations of thousands of people in Scotland,” Swinney said.

‘I was betrayed’

Sturgeon, who was removed from the inquiry last year, announced in January 2025 that she and Murrell had separated.

In an Instagram post, he said he was “surprised” by his former friend’s confession and that he “didn’t know or suspect anything”.

“Being lied to and disappointed by a man I loved and trusted has hurt me a lot,” she added.

Sturgeon stepped down from the legislature earlier this year, ending a nearly 30-year career as one of the most prominent figures in the independent establishment.