Peter Murrell, the former chief executive of the Scottish National Party (SNP), has pleaded guilty to embezzling £400,310.65 from the party following a long-running Police Scotland investigation into SNP finances.
Murrell admitted the charge at the High Court in Edinburgh on Monday and was remanded in custody ahead of sentencing scheduled for 23 June. The case is part of Operation Branchform, a Police Scotland investigation into the SNP’s funding and financial management.
Murrell was arrested in April 2023 following a police raid at the Edinburgh home he shared with former first minister Nicola Sturgeon and at SNP headquarters. He was later charged with embezzlement in April 2024.
He had served as SNP chief executive for more than 20 years before stepping down in March 2023. His resignation followed a dispute over SNP membership figures, during which he admitted misleading the media.
Murrell was closely associated publicly with Nicola Sturgeon, who he married in 2010. The pair separated in 2025. During court proceedings, a revised indictment was presented showing the alleged embezzlement total reduced from £459,046.49 to £400,310.65. The offences were said to have taken place between August 2010 and October 2022.
Lord Young described Murrell’s conduct as a “gross breach of trust”. Murrell has no previous convictions, the court heard. Former SNP treasurer Colin Beattie and Nicola Sturgeon were also arrested during Operation Branchform but were later cleared of wrongdoing by Police Scotland. Peter Murrell remains in custody ahead of sentencing on 23 June.