Peter Murrell has been charged in connection with embezzlement of Scottish National Party (SNP) funds, following a police probe into the party’s finances.
The 59-year-old former SNP chief executive and husband of former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was taken into custody and charged on Thursday, Police Scotland confirmed.
Police Scotland said in a statement: “A 59-year-old man has today, Thursday, April 18 been charged in connection with the embezzlement of funds from the Scottish National Party.
“The man, who was arrested at 9.13am today and had previously been arrested as a suspect on April 5, 2023, was charged at 6.35pm after further questioning by Police Scotland detectives investigating the funding and finances of the party.
“A report will be sent to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service in due course.
“The man is no longer in police custody.”
“As this investigation is ongoing we are unable to comment further,“ the police statement said, adding that as the matter is active, for the purposes of the Contempt of Court Act 1981, ”the public are therefore advised to exercise caution if discussing it on social media.”
Operation Branchform
Mr. Murrell was taken into police custody more than one year after his first arrest. He was released on Thursday evening and arrived at the home he shares with Ms. Sturgeon on the outskirts of Glasgow after 8 p.m.The charge is part of Operation Branchform, a police investigation into the spending of more than £600,000 in donations for campaigning for Scottish independence.
Police had arrested Ms. Sturgeon two months after the initial arrest of Mr. Murrell. She was released without charge pending further investigation.
The SNP’s former treasurer Colin Beattie was also arrested last year and was then released without charge pending further investigation.
Ms. Sturgeon resigned as leader of the SNP and as Scottish first minister in February 2023. Mr. Murrell resigned as the party’s chief executive during last year’s leadership campaign. He had held the role for more than two decades.
SNP Urged to Cooperate With Police
Scottish Conservatives Chairman Craig Hoy urged the SNP to “fully co-operate” as the police probe continues.Mr. Hoy said: “The announcement that Peter Murrell has been charged by Police Scotland is an extremely serious development in the investigation into the SNP’s finances.
“As the police probe continues, it is now more important than ever that all SNP staff and politicians, past and present, fully co-operate.”
“The investigation, which has been going on for three years, appears to be reaching a conclusion and the SNP must commit to being fully open and transparent in this critical phase,” he added.
A spokesperson for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), Scotland’s public prosecution service, said: “Senior professional prosecutors from COPFS and an Advocate Depute are working with police on this ongoing investigation.
“It is standard practice that any case regarding politicians is dealt with by prosecutors without the involvement of the Lord Advocate or Solicitor General. All Scotland’s prosecutors act independently of political interference.
“As is routine, to protect the integrity of ongoing investigations, we do not comment in detail on their conduct.”
