Murrell arrives for sentencing in Edinburgh

Peter Murrell admitted to embezzling £400,310.65 of the Scottish National Party’s funds over a period of 12 years to 2022 at the High Court in Edinburgh last month, and today the 61 year-old arrived at the same court to be sentenced for his crimes.

Murrell was at the helm of the party as its chief executive for two decades until he stepped down.

He bought cars, pepper mills and coffee makers in a shopping list of items which ranged from a few pounds to a camper van costing around £124,000.

Police Scotland have conducted an extensive investigation called Operation Branchform first investigating the disappearance of £667,000 which had been raised for the cause of independence. The national treasurer, Douglas Chapman resigned – as well as members of the national executive when questions were put to Murrell which remained unanswered.

He used credit and debit cards in the names of SNP employees as well as a web of bank transfers to make the illicit purchases.

Murrell is the estranged husband of former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who has denied any knowledge of what he did, and has said she was “deceived, betrayed and lied to”. Ms Sturgeon resigned in February 2023 at a hastily called press conference at Bute House.