Sturgeon admits ‘worst week of my life’ as estranged husband guilty | Politics | News
Nicola Sturgeon has suffered “probably the worst week of my life” after her estranged husband admitted embezzling more than £400,000 from the SNP.
Peter Murrell, 61, pleaded guilty on Monday to embezzling £400,310.65 from the party while he was its chief executive.
He used the funds to fund a lavish lifestyle that included luxury items such as a £4,225 fountain pen, a £2,618 salt and pepper grinder, a £3,231 coffee machine and a state-of-the-art caravan worth £124,550.
Speaking at a literary festival in Ireland yesterday (THURSDAY), the former Scottish first minister said: “There have been some difficult weeks for me over the last few years but I think this one has surpassed them all.
“Facing the fact that you—I spent many years—was married to someone I apparently never knew was a truly painful truth, and I think I’m still in the very early stages of understanding that.
“And then being in such public turmoil makes it even harder.
“This isn’t a private thing, it would be hard enough if it were a private thing, but it’s quite public.”
Ms Sturgeon was arrested and interviewed by detectives in June 2023 as part of an investigation into the SNP’s finances.
He was later told by Police Scotland that he would face no further action on instructions from the Crown Office and the Procurator Fiscal Service.
In a statement released after her estranged husband pleaded guilty, Ms Sturgeon said she was unaware of her husband’s spending spree and had no idea about the luxury caravan until he became part of the police investigation in early 2023.
The former prime minister also faced criticism for his decision to answer “no comment” while being questioned by police following his arrest this week.
In a statement on his behalf, lawyer Aamer Anwar emphasized that the response was standard legal advice and rejected claims that the move hindered the investigation.
Earlier on Thursday, Scotland’s police chief praised officers who led the Operation Branchform investigation into SNP finances, saying they had gathered “compelling evidence” against Murrell.
Chief Constable Jo Farrell of Police Scotland said investigators were “working under intense scrutiny” in a case of “significant public concern”.
