Peter Murrell, the former chief executive of the Scottish National Party (SNP), has been sentenced to five years and three months in prison for embezzling more than £400,000 from the party. The sentence was handed down at the High Court in Edinburgh on June 24, 2026.
The court heard that Murrell covered his tracks over a 12-year period, from 2012 to 2024, by creating false invoices and using party funds for personal expenses. The embezzlement included payments to a company he controlled and personal credit card bills.
Judge Lord Beckett described the crime as a 'serious breach of trust' that undermined public confidence in political parties. Murrell had previously pleaded guilty to the charges.
The case has drawn significant attention due to Murrell's long-standing role in the SNP and his marriage to former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. Sturgeon has not been implicated in the embezzlement.
