Peter Murrell: Nicola Sturgeon’s estranged husband accused of embezzling £459,000 from SNP over 12 years
Former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell is accused of embezzling £459,000 from the party over more than 12 years, according to reports.
Nicola Sturgeon’s estranged husband Mr Murrell allegedly used the money to purchase items including a caravan and luxury goods, as well as buying two cars.
He is accused of embezzling funds between August 2010 and January 2023, according to the indictment, seen by the BBC and first reported in 2010. Sun.
The 61-year-old, who became chief executive of the party in 1999, is expected to appear at the High Court in Glasgow for a preliminary hearing on February 20.
He was first arrested in April 2023 as part of a police investigation into the SNP’s finances and charged in April 2024.
Mr Murrell, who is responsible for the day-to-day running of the SNP, did not enter a plea when he appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court in March 2025 on charges of embezzlement.
The indictment is said to include allegations that Mr Murrell used party funds to buy a caravan worth £124,550 for his own personal use.
He also allegedly spent £57,500 of SNP money to buy an £81,000 Jaguar I-PACE in 2019 and £16,489 on a £33,000 Volkswagen Golf bought in early 2016, according to reports.
Mr Murrell was chief executive of the SNP for more than 20 years until he resigned during the leadership race to replace Ms Sturgeon in 2023.
In January last year, Ms Sturgeon announced that she and Mr Murrell had “decided to end” their marriage.
The former SNP leader said at the time: “It is with a heavy heart that I confirm that Peter and I have decided to end our marriage.
“For all intents and purposes, we have been separated for some time and we feel it is time to inform others of our current situation.”
The Crown Office warned against comment or speculation about the case, saying: “Comment, analysis or conclusions about the evidence, witnesses or the defendant risk prejudice to the proceedings and may amount to contempt of court.”
Police Scotland launched an investigation into the SNP’s finances in July 2021 after receiving complaints about how donations were used.
