Former Scottish National Party (SNP) chief executive Peter Murrell has been sentenced to five years and three months in prison after admitting to embezzling more than £400,000 from party funds over a 13-year period. The court heard that Murrell used the money to purchase vehicles, a luxury motorhome, and high-end consumer goods.

Murrell, the estranged husband of former SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon, pleaded guilty to embezzling £400,310 between 2010 and 2023. During sentencing, the judge described his actions as a serious breach of trust and a calculated act of dishonesty, emphasizing that the punishment should serve as a warning to senior officials in other organizations.

The case stemmed from a wider investigation into the SNP’s finances that also led to Sturgeon’s arrest in 2023. However, she was later cleared of any wrongdoing and has repeatedly stated that she had no knowledge of Murrell’s misuse of party funds. Authorities are now expected to pursue legal action to recover the embezzled money through proceeds-of-crime measures.

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