Swinney: Murrell's embezzlement of £400,000 from SNP an 'overwhelming betrayal'

Former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell’s embezzlement of more than £400,000 from the party is “a terrible breach of trust” and an “overwhelming betrayal”, leader and Scottish First Minister John Swinney has said.

Murrell has admitted to embezzling hundreds of thousands of pounds from the party.

He pled guilty at the High Court in Edinburgh on Monday when he appeared for a preliminary hearing carrying a duffle bag. Judge Lord Young remanded him in custody and the former SNP boss was handcuffed.

Lord Young told Murrell his actions amounted to a gross breach of trust.

Murrell, the estranged husband of former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, embezzled funds from the SNP between August 2010 and October 2022.

Scotland

Peter Murrell jailed after admitting embezzling £400,000 from SNP

Nicola Sturgeon’s estranged husband was handcuffed after pleading guilty to stealing party funds

The 61-year-old used the money to buy numerous items – including a motorhome and luxury goods – and towards the purchase of two cars.

He was originally accused of embezzling £459,049, but this was reduced to £400,310.65.

Speaking on Monday, Swinney said: “Peter Murrell’s guilty plea confirms that the Scottish National Party has been the victim of embezzlement of hundreds of thousands of pounds of funds, provided by SNP members.

“This is an admission of a terrible breach of trust and an overwhelming betrayal by the man entrusted to be the party’s chief executive.”

The SNP leader said party funds were raised from “thousands of dedicated SNP activists”, and added: “Those are the people in my thoughts when I talk about betrayal.”

SNP leader John Swinney said: “By embezzling from the SNP, Peter Murrell was stealing the hopes, the dreams and the aspirations of thousands of people all over Scotland, people who gave what they could over many years in the hope that it would help contribute to a better country.

“So today I am horrified, I am betrayed.”

But he added: “I am also resolute about the future. I returned to the SNP leadership two years ago because I could see the party I loved was not in the best place.

“I promised that we would get back on track. A key part of that has been the process to strengthen our governance structures and our party finances.

“That has been an ongoing process over a number of years.”