Estranged husband of former Scottish leader admits $540K embezzlement of party funds

Source: AP

By BRIAN MELLEY
Updated 11:54 AM CDT, May 25, 2026

LONDON (AP) — The estranged husband of former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon pleaded guilty on Monday to embezzling more than 400,000 pounds ($540,000) from the Scottish National Party to fund a lavish lifestyle when he was its chief executive.

Peter Murrell, 61, who was remanded into custody in the High Court in Edinburgh after his plea, admitted using party funds to buy a high-priced motorhome, two cars, including a Jaguar, and luxury goods, including Bremont watches and household items that included two toilet seats.

“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,” SNP leader John Swinney told a press conference. “I am horrified, I am betrayed.”

Swinney and Sturgeon both distanced themselves from the taint of Murrell’s crimes and said they had been unaware of the theft.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/scotland-embezzlement-murrell-sturgeon-94dd4f5705fd11e31d6c21b6514f01cd