Introduction
The embezzlement case involving Peter Murrell has overshadowed the Scottish National Party (SNP) since the police investigation commenced five years ago. Strategists within the SNP believe this controversy has eroded public trust and contributed to a notable decline in party support.
Although the SNP has recently been returned to government, its popularity has diminished compared to the previous election.
High-Profile Investigation
Peter Murrell is not the first prominent political figure in Scotland to face criminal charges, but this case stands out for its vivid details. Notably, police erected a blue forensic tent in the garden of the home he shared with his wife, Nicola Sturgeon, from whom he is now separated.
The tent’s presence gave the impression of a serious crime scene, although it was intended to shield police activities from public view. Concurrently, police searched SNP headquarters in Edinburgh and seized a motorhome from the driveway of Murrell’s mother in Fife.
The scale and nature of these actions resembled a television drama more than typical news coverage.
Within SNP circles, some believed the police had overreached and might face consequences, but Murrell’s admission of guilt appears to have quelled such concerns.
Murrell’s Role and Political Implications
The case’s intrigue extends beyond Murrell’s role as long-serving SNP chief executive. His close relationship with Nicola Sturgeon raises additional questions, especially considering the timing of police actions relative to her resignation as first minister.
The police operation began just seven weeks after Sturgeon announced her resignation and about one week after she officially left office.
At the press conference where she announced her departure, Sturgeon was asked whether she had been or expected to be interviewed by police investigating the SNP’s finances. She declined to comment on the ongoing investigation and exited the room. Shortly thereafter, her team informed that the answer was "no."
Sturgeon has since maintained that the police investigation, known as Operation Branchform, did not influence her decision to step down.
During the investigation, both Sturgeon and former SNP Treasurer Colin Beattie were arrested, questioned, and released without charge. When Murrell was charged with embezzlement, authorities clarified that no further action would be taken against Sturgeon or Beattie.
This development was a relief to Sturgeon, who has consistently asserted her innocence.
"I had no knowledge or suspicion whatsoever that he was using SNP funds for personal purposes.
I am utterly appalled that he did so and cannot begin to understand why.
That I was fully cleared after a thorough investigation underlines that these were not my crimes. I was misled just as others were."
Assurances on SNP Finances
Another issue concerns how Nicola Sturgeon was able to provide both private and public assurances regarding the SNP’s financial status.
In March 2021, she told a meeting of the SNP’s ruling body,
"There are no reasons for people to be concerned about the party's finances,"
and cautioned members against suggesting otherwise. A few months later, in a television interview, she insisted,
"Money hasn't gone missing."
The basis for these statements, the extent of her efforts to verify the party’s finances, and the degree to which she relied on her husband’s information remain unclear.
Concentration of Power
This situation prompts a broader question about the distribution of power in devolved Scottish politics from late 2014 to early 2023. During this period, power was concentrated within a single household, with Peter Murrell managing the SNP and Nicola Sturgeon leading both the party and the Scottish government.
Alex Salmond, Sturgeon’s predecessor as first minister, told the author that he had warned Murrell against this arrangement during a lunch at an Edinburgh hotel. Although this claim has not been verified with Murrell, similar concerns have been voiced by others within and around the SNP over the years.
These warnings were dismissed as the "power couple" arrangement persisted until Sturgeon’s resignation.
The current first minister, John Swinney, has not publicly commented on this setup. While he did not hold a party role during those years, he was Sturgeon’s closest colleague in government. Swinney was an old friend of Murrell and appointed him as chief executive during his first term as SNP leader in the early 2000s. The prudence of that decision is now under scrutiny.
Party Response and Financial Controls
As SNP leader, Swinney now portrays the party as a victim of crimes committed by the individual he appointed to lead it. He has stated that internal controls have been strengthened to prevent future financial misconduct. The SNP may also pursue recovery of some stolen funds.
The police investigation began after complaints arose that despite raising over £600,000 in donations for independence campaigning, the SNP’s bank balance was less than £100,000. Some donors demanded explanations and, in a few cases, received refunds.
It remains possible that other donors may seek compensation.
The SNP maintains that an amount equivalent to the funds raised for independence campaigning will be spent on that purpose.
Legal Proceedings and Historical Context
Before any recovery or restitution, a judge must determine the sentence for Peter Murrell.
Former SNP MP Natalie McGarry was previously imprisoned for embezzling a smaller sum from an independence-supporting women’s group.
Scotland has seen several high-profile political figures face criminal courts. Former Labour cabinet minister Lord Watson was jailed in 2004 for attempting to burn down a hotel. Socialist activist Tommy Sheridan was imprisoned in 2011 for perjury. Former SNP first minister Alex Salmond was tried and acquitted of sexual offences in 2020.
To this list, the name of Peter Murrell is now added — the man who stole from the party and cause to which he dedicated much of his adult life.
