Former Scottish National Party (SNP) Chief of Staff Peter Murrell has formally pleaded guilty to embezzling £400,000 from the party.
Murrell, who is the husband of former Scottish Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon, was remanded in custody following a court hearing. According to investigators, thefts occurred between 2019 and 2023.
According to case materials, the stolen funds were spent on personal purchases, including:
expensive video games,
a campervan, and
a high-end professional coffee machine.
The scandal has dealt a serious blow to the reputation of the Scottish National Party, which was already experiencing a decline in popularity following Sturgeon’s departure. The SNP has already stated its “deep disappointment” with the actions of the former senior official and promised to conduct an internal review of all party finances.
Murrell himself has not yet made any public comments since pleading guilty. He will be sentenced at the next court hearing in the coming weeks.
This case has become one of the most high-profile political scandals in Scotland in recent years and could have serious consequences for any remaining trust in the SNP among voters.