Peter Murrell, Nicola Sturgeon’s husband, faces charges in investigation of SNP finances.
Mr. Murrell, 59, was charged by the police on Thursday after serving as the Scottish National Party’s chief executive for 20 years until his resignation in 2023.
Peter Murrell faces charges related to embezzlement of funds from the Scottish National Party (SNP) following an investigation into the party’s financial affairs.
The former SNP chief executive, aged 59 and married to ex-First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, was taken into custody and charged on Thursday, according to Police Scotland.
Police Scotland issued a statement stating, “A 59-year-old man has been charged today in connection with embezzlement of funds from the Scottish National Party.
“The man, arrested at 9.13am today and previously a suspect arrested on April 5, 2023, was formally charged at 6.35pm after further questioning by detectives investigating the party’s finances.
“A report will be submitted to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service in due course.
“The individual is no longer in police custody.”
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“Due to the ongoing nature of this investigation, we are unable to provide further comments,” mentioned the police statement, advising caution in discussing it on social media due to it being an active case under the Contempt of Court Act 1981.
An SNP representative stated, “While this development may be surprising, we refrain from making any comments as the police inquiry is still ongoing.”
Operation Branchform
Mr. Murrell was placed in police custody over a year after his initial arrest, subsequently released on Thursday evening and returned home to Glasgow where he lives with Ms. Sturgeon after 8 p.m.
The arrest is tied to Operation Branchform, an investigation into the spending of over £600,000 in donations for Scottish independence campaigning.
Ms. Sturgeon was also arrested two months after Mr. Murrell’s initial arrest but was later released without facing charges pending further investigation.
The SNP’s former treasurer, Colin Beattie, had also been arrested last year but was similarly released without being charged pending further investigation.
Ms. Sturgeon resigned from leading the SNP and as Scotland’s first minister in February 2023. Mr. Murrell resigned as the party’s CEO during last year’s leadership campaign, having held the position for more than two decades.
Mr. Murrell and Ms. Sturgeon have been married since 2010.
SNP Urged to Cooperate With Police
Scottish Conservatives Chairman Craig Hoy called on the SNP to fully collaborate as the police probe progresses.
Mr. Hoy stated, “The news of Peter Murrell’s charges by Police Scotland is a significant development in the investigation into the SNP’s finances.”
“As the investigation continues, it is crucial for all SNP staff and politicians, past and present, to cooperate fully.”
“The investigation, ongoing for three years, seems to be reaching its conclusion, and it is imperative for the SNP to be fully transparent and open during this critical phase,” he added.
A spokesperson from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), Scotland’s public prosecution service, mentioned, “Senior professional prosecutors from COPFS and an Advocate Depute are working with police on this ongoing investigation.
“It is standard practice for politician cases to be handled by prosecutors independently of any political influence. All prosecutors in Scotland operate without political interference.
“As a standard procedure to safeguard the integrity of ongoing investigations, detailed comments on their progress are not provided.”
PA Media also contributed to this report.
