Peter Murrell: Nicola Sturgeon’s estranged husband accused of embezzling £459,000 from SNP over 12 years

Peter Murrell is accused of embezzling the funds between August 2010 and January 2023

Former Scottish National Party (SNP) chief executive Peter Murrell is accused of embezzling £459,000 from the party over more than 12 years, according to reports.

Mr Murrell, who is Nicola Sturgeon’s estranged husband, is alleged to have used the money to buy items including a motorhome and luxury goods, and to partially fund the purchase of two cars.

He is accused of embezzling the funds between August 2010 and January 2023, according to an indictment seen by the BBC and first reported in The Sun.

The 61-year-old, who became the party chief executive in 1999, is expected to appear at the High Court in Glasgow for a preliminary hearing on 20 February. He was first arrested in April 2023 as part of the police investigation into the SNP’s finances, and was charged in April 2024.

Mr Murrell, who was responsible for the day-to-day running of the SNP, entered no plea when he appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court in March 2025 on a charge of embezzlement.

Peter Murrell was first arrested in April 2023 as part of the police investigation into the SNP’s finances (PA)

The indictment is said to include allegations that Mr Murrell used party funds to buy a £124,550 motorhome for his own personal use.

It is also alleged that he used £57,500 of SNP money in the purchase of an £81,000 Jaguar I-Pace in 2019, and £16,489 towards a £33,000 Volkswagen Golf bought in early 2016, according to the reports.

Until he stood down in 2023 during the leadership race to succeed Ms Sturgeon, Mr Murrell had been chief executive of the SNP for more than 20 years.

In January last year, Ms Sturgeon announced that she and Mr Murrell had “decided to end” their marriage. The former SNP leader said at the time: “With a heavy heart I am confirming that Peter and I have decided to end our marriage. To all intents and purposes we have been separated for some time now and feel it is time to bring others up to speed with where we are.”

The Crown Office warned against commentary and speculation on the case, saying: “Commentary, analysis or conclusions about evidence, witnesses or the accused risks prejudicing proceedings and may amount to contempt of court.”

Police Scotland launched an investigation into the SNP’s finances in July 2021 after receiving complaints about how donations were used.