BREAKING: Nicola Sturgeon's Ex-Husband Pleads GUILTY to Stealing Cash From Party - Attention Now Focused on What Nicola Knew
Sturgeon's ex-husband has finally pleaded guilty. But will Nicola soon be joining him?
Peter Murrell, the former chief executive of the SNP and estranged husband of former first minister Nicola Sturgeon, has admitted embezzling more than £400,000 from the party.
Appearing at the High Court in Edinburgh on Monday, Murrell pleaded guilty to embezzling £400,310.65 between August 2010 and October 2022.
The 61-year-old used SNP funds to finance personal spending, including luxury purchases, a motorhome, and part of the cost of two cars.
Following the guilty plea, a senior Police Scotland officer accused Murrell of exploiting his senior role within Scottish politics for personal gain.
He said: "This is without doubt one of the most high-profile investigations in recent times and it is testimony to the work of Police Scotland officers and staff that has led to Peter Murrell's admission of guilt early in the court process.
"I would also like to thank the many witnesses who came forward to provide us with statements as we built the case against Peter Murrell. Their engagement with us was vital.
"Peter Murrell has shown utter contempt for the high public trust placed in him as the chief executive of a political party and his position in the wider political establishment in Scotland for many years.
"He abused his privileged position with access to Scottish National Party funds to divert cash into his own accounts and bankroll the lavish lifestyle he craved but could not afford.
"From 2010 to 2022 he spent hundreds of thousands of pounds on luxury goods while carefully trying to hide his criminality with false receipts and accounting.
"He must now face the consequences of his actions."
Nicola Sturgeon later responded publicly to the development in a post shared to Instagram.
She wrote: "My reaction to the guilty plea tendered today by my former husband is difficult to put into words.
"I am angry, hurt, sad and very distressed about the impact of his actions on family, friends and the SNP.
"To be deceived and let down by a husband I loved and trusted has caused me acute pain. Why he acted as he did is, and always will be, beyond my comprehension."
Sturgeon announced in January 2025 that she and Murrell had separated after years together. The pair first met through the SNP in 1988, began a relationship in 2003, and married in 2010.
Suspiciously, their split came only after police had already opened an investigation into the pair.
In her statement at the time, the former first minister said they had been "separated for some time now" but "still care deeply for each other, and always will".
I remember covering this case back when it first broke.
I wonder now what I wondered then:
Are we supposed to believe that Nicola truly didn’t know that her own husband was stealing money from the party she was the leader of? Or was she complicit?
Time will tell.