Nicola Sturgeon's husband Peter Murrell appears in court charged with SNP embezzlement

Nicola Sturgeon’s husband has appeared in court charged with embezzlement as part of the ongoing police probe into the SNP’s finances.

Peter Murrell, the SNP’s former chief executive, appeared in private at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Thursday morning.

He made no plea in relation to a single charge of embezzlement. The case was committed for further examination and Murrell was granted bail.

The 60-year-old will return to court, but no date has been set.

Nicola Sturgeon and Peter Murrell's house was searched by Police Scotland. — Nicola Sturgeon and Peter Murrell’s house was searched by Police Scotland. STV News

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service issued a statement insisting the case had been handled independently and without the involvement of any politically appointed officials.

A spokesperson for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), said: “Professional prosecutors from COPFS and independent counsel are dealing with this case without involving the Lord Advocate or Solicitor General. All Scotland’s prosecutors operate independently of political influence.

“These matters are active under the Contempt of Court Act 1981. The provisions of this Act protect the integrity of proceedings, preserve access to justice for victims and secure the rights of people accused of crime.

“Anyone publishing items about active cases is advised to exercise caution as material must not be commentary or analysis of evidence, witnesses or accused. Contempt of Court carries penalties of up to two years in prison and/or an unlimited fine.”

Scotland

Nicola Sturgeon splits from husband amid police investigation

The former SNP leader announced that her marriage to the former chief executive of the Scottish National Party Peter Murrell was ending.

Operation Branchform

Operation Branchform has been ongoing since 2021 and is investigating what happened to around £600,000 raised by the party for independence campaigning.

Sturgeon and former SNP treasurer Colin Beattie were questioned as part of the investigation in June 2023 but were not charged.

A Freedom of Information request published in November confirmed that 11 police officers are currently allocated to the investigation.

The former first minster said she knew “nothing more” about the police investigation when asked in December.