Tuesday June 23rd 2026
Former SNP party chief executive Peter Murrell
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
Former SNP party chief executive, Peter Murrell, was today sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh to 5 years and three months in prison after admitting to embezzling funds from the Scottish National Party.
This follows the 61-year-old’s conviction, on 25 May 2026, of embezzling over £400,000 from the political party in actions described by Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Houston, who had oversight of Police Scotland’s investigation into the embezzlement named Operation Branchform, as ‘calculated actions to mislead and steal for his own personal gain has proved his disregard for those who placed their trust in him’.
Peter Murrell was married to former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon for almost 15 years and served as the Chief Executive of the SNP party from 2001 to 2023.
He was charged with embezzling funds from the SNP between August 2010 and October 2022, pleading guilty to embezzling £400,310.65
He admitted that he used the money to buy items including a motorhome and other luxury goods.
Following today’s sentencing ACC Houston said: “Today’s sentencing of Peter Murrell – and a sentence of such duration – is proof that those who flout the law, who break the trust of those around them, and who embezzle vast sums of money will not escape justice, regardless of how high a profile or role they may hold.
“Operation Branchform has been an extremely detailed, complex and intricate enquiry, carried out over a protracted period of time in order to ensure a thorough investigation which fully exposed the extent of this wrongdoing, committed over a sustained period of time.
“Murrell occupied a significant position of privilege and power in public life in Scotland, entrusted to oversee the day-to-day operations of the country’s governing political party. His undeniably deliberate and calculated actions to mislead and steal for his own personal gain has proved his disregard for those who placed their trust in him.
“People came forward and told us of their sense and experiences of things not being right, and they are to be publicly commended – their statements, combined with our investigations, have led to the outcome we see today.
“Through ongoing close work with key criminal justice partners, including the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, this enquiry resulted in the compilation of such a robust case that an early admission of guilt was secured, enabling proceedings to conclude sooner rather than later.
“My sincere thanks go to the officers and staff of Police Scotland, who have committed their specialist knowledge, professionalism, commitment and expertise to this matter from start to finish, and without whom we would not have been able to achieve justice.
“Work remains to be undertaken in regards to the Proceeds of Crime Act relating to this case by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. Police Scotland, and in particular the Cyber and Fraud Unit, will assist in this process and in any further investigations which may be required.”
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