Peter Murrell jailed for more than five years for embezzling SNP funds

Peter Murrell jailed for more than five years for embezzling SNP fundsTo play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.This video can not be playedFigure caption, Murrell sentenced to more than five years for embezzling party fundsByAngus CochraneSenior political journalist, BBC ScotlandPublished22 June 2026Updated 10 minutes agoFormer SNP chief executive Peter Murrell has been sentenced to five years and three months in jail after he admitted to embezzling more than £400,000 from the party. Murrell - the estranged husband of Nicola Sturgeon - used the funds to buy goods ranging from cars and a motorhome to kitchenware and toiletries.The 61-year-old's sentence was backdated to 25 May, when he was remanded in custody after pleading guilty.He did not react as his sentence was delivered, staring straight ahead before being led away in handcuffs.Judge Lord Young said Murrell had carried out a "calculated crime of dishonesty" but told the court he had been unable to identify a clear motive. Sturgeon has denied any knowledge of his wrongdoing, saying she was "deceived".Former SNP chief Peter Murrell jailed for embezzling party funds - follow reactionWho is Peter Murrell? The former SNP chief who stole from his partyPublished2 hours agoNew pictures show dozens of items bought illegally by Peter MurrellPublished2 hours agoAt a court hearing on 25 May, Murrell admitted embezzling £400,310.65 from the SNP between 2010 and 2022. Police Scotland began investigating the party's finances in 2021 after questions were asked about what had happened to £667,000 raised for a second independence referendum campaign. Officers initially looking into those concerns ultimately uncovered Murrell's embezzlement. They found Murrell had used charge cards, bank transfers and fake invoices to illicitly purchase items including jewellery, cosmetics, stationery, and games consoles. At the sentencing hearing, Murrell's lawyer John Scullion KC...