Former SNP Chief Executive Pleads Guilty to Embezzling £400,000

Peter Murrell, the Scottish National Party's former chief executive, pleaded guilty on May 25 to embezzling more than £400,000 from the party. The funds were used for purchases that included jewellery, cosmetics, a £125,000 camper van parked at his mother's home in Dunfermline, and a Jaguar i-Pace vehicle. Some items were delivered to the homes of Nicola Sturgeon's parents and sister.

Murrell had been scheduled to enter a plea on February 20. The hearing was postponed until May 25, three weeks after the May 7 local elections. The Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service cited Section 75A of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 but gave no further reason for the change.

SNP leader John Swinney rejected suggestions that the delay provided a political advantage. He declined calls for the Crown Office and the Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service to release additional details about the postponement.

Police began examining SNP finances after reports that money raised for a Scottish independence referendum could not be fully accounted for. Murrell was arrested during the inquiry, which was known as Operation Branchform. Nicola Sturgeon, who led the SNP until February 2023, stated that she had no knowledge of her husband's use of the funds.

The Crown Office has not charged her in connection with the case.