Nicola Sturgeon’s shamed fraudster husband was today jailed for five years after admitting embezzling more than £400,000 from the SNP. Peter Murrell, 61, returned to the dock at the High Court in Edinburgh to be sentenced after admitting his crimes last month.
The ex-party chief executive – nicknamed Magpie over his thieving ways – embezzled funds under his wife’s nose for 12 years. Items he splashed cash on included two cars, jewellery, and a giant motorhome. Shocking details of Murrell’s illegal 12-year spending spree were laid bare last month when he pleaded guilty to one charge of embezzlement.
He was sentenced to a total of five years and three months in jail today. Judge Lord Young told him: “Mr Murrell you carried out a large number of fraudulent acts over a 12 year period. “You carried out a large number of fraudulent acts over a 12 year period while you were chief executive officer of the SMP. Your offending increased in frequency and in amount overtime. You found yourself unable to stop this offending and it was only the detection of the crime that brought it to an end. All told this is a calculated crime of dishonesty.”
The High Court in Edinburgh previously heard how Murrell – also dubbed Sneaky Pete – splurged cash on high-end jewellery, cosmetics, games, watches, gadgets, travel luggage, coffee machines, drinks coasters, and designer brollies – most of it delivered to the family home in Uddingston, Lanarkshire.
Ms Sturgeon has insisted she knew nothing of his 12-year spree – and never noticed the huge £125k motorhome parked in her mother-in-law’s drive during visits.
Murrell’s crimes only came to light when cops were called in to investigate reports missing cash that party chiefs claimed had been “ring-fenced” for a second indy referendum.
However, they could not find evidence of this crime but discovered items purchased by Murrell that raised concerns.
After discussions with Crown prosecutors, Operation Branchform – which has so far cost the taxpayer more than £2 million – was launched.
