Peter Murrell Faces Embezzlement Charges in SNP Financial Investigation

Peter Murrell, the husband of former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, has been charged in connection with the alleged embezzlement of funds from the Scottish National Party (SNP).

The 59-year-old was taken into custody at 09:13 on Thursday, April 18, 2024, and was questioned by detectives from Police Scotland. This follows his previous arrest on April 5, 2023, when he was released without charge.

Mr. Murrell has reportedly resigned from his SNP membership and was formally charged at 18:35 after further questioning by officers investigating the party’s finances as part of Operation Branchform.

Following his release from Falkirk Police Station at around 20:00, Mr. Murrell returned home near Glasgow. He had previously resigned as the SNP’s chief executive in March of the preceding year after serving in the role for 22 years.

An SNP spokesperson commented, “While this development will come as a shock, the police investigation remains ongoing and it would, therefore, be inappropriate to make any comment.”

Police Scotland initiated a formal investigation into the SNP’s finances in July 2021 after receiving complaints regarding the use of donations, particularly in relation to funds earmarked for a fresh independence referendum campaign.

When Mr. Murrell was arrested last year, police conducted searches at the residence he shares with Ms. Sturgeon near Glasgow and the SNP headquarters in Edinburgh.

Both Ms. Sturgeon and SNP treasurer Colin Beattie have also been questioned by police in connection with the investigation.

With Mr. Murrell now facing charges, the case will proceed to prosecutors at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service for further consideration.

Prosecutors will assess the evidence and determine whether to proceed with a court case, taking into account legal standards and public interest considerations.

Given the complexity and duration of the investigation, the timeline for further developments remains uncertain. Both the Crown Office and Police Scotland emphasized the ongoing nature of the investigation and cautioned against speculation on social media to avoid potential contempt of court issues.