Former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell pleads guilty to £400,000 embezzlement, SNP leader apologises

Peter Murrell, the former chief executive of the Scottish National Party (SNP) and estranged husband of ex‑first minister Nicola Sturgeon, pleaded guilty in Edinburgh’s High Court to embezzling £400,310.65 from the party over a period spanning 2010‑2022. Court documents show the stolen money was used to purchase a luxury motorhome, two cars, high‑end watches, designer watches, cosmetics and other personal items. The case is the culmination of the police investigation known as Operation Branchform, which began in 2021 after concerns that more than £600,000 of donation money earmarked for a second independence referendum had vanished.

SNP leader and Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney held a press conference after the plea, saying the crime was "a terrible breach of trust and an overwhelming betrayal" and apologised to party members, describing the loss of funds as a theft of "the hopes, the dreams and the aspirations of thousands of people all over Scotland". He added that he had never suspected Murrell’s wrongdoing and that the party had been "badly, badly let down".

Nicola Sturgeon, who was cleared of any wrongdoing in the investigation, reiterated she had no knowledge or suspicion of the misuse of SNP funds, saying she was "angry, hurt, sad and very distressed" by the impact on the party and her family. Murrell was remanded in custody and is scheduled to be sentenced on 23 June. The scandal has raised questions about the SNP’s internal financial controls as the party prepares for future elections.