Peter Murrell pleads guilty to embezzling £400,000 from SNP | Scotland

Peter Murrell, the former chief executive of the Scottish National Party, has pleaded guilty to charges of embezzling £400,310.65 from the party after reaching a deal with prosecutors.

Murrell, the ex-husband of former SNP leader and first minister Nicola Sturgeon, appeared at the high court in Edinburgh last year after being accused of stealing from the SNP to fund an expensive lifestyle including a Jaguar car, a luxury caravan, luxury pens and shoes.

In a deal struck with prosecutors in recent weeks, Murrell admitted the charges were reduced in court on Monday after an allegation of embezzling nearly £60,000 from the six-page indictment was deleted.

Judge Lord Young remanded Murrell in custody, saying he was guilty of a “gross breach of trust”.

Murrell, wearing a navy blue suit and black tie, was led away by a court security guard and will appear in court again on Tuesday, June 2, where full details of his crimes will be revealed in court.

More details coming soon…