Sturgeon confirms no contact with Murrell since SNP embezzlement sentencing
Nicola Sturgeon says she will not visit Peter Murrell in prison, describing herself as a “mug” for worrying about his wellbeing while he concealed months of plea negotiations.
Scotland’s former first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has confirmed she will not visit or speak to her estranged husband, Peter Murrell, since his imprisonment in June. Speaking during a podcast recording with broadcaster Iain Dale at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Sturgeon stated she had not communicated with Murrell since his sentencing for embezzling more than £400,000 from the Scottish National Party (SNP).
Murrell, 61, is serving a five-year sentence for misappropriating party funds between 2010 and 2022. The court found he spent the money on items including a motorhome, a Jaguar SUV, a VW Golf, boutique cosmetics, iPads, and a pair of Lalique Feuilles salt and pepper grinders valued at £2,618. Sturgeon, 55, was not charged following a police investigation and has consistently denied knowledge of the crimes.
Sturgeon revealed that Murrell had lied to her until the day he pleaded guilty, noting she only discovered the plea negotiations a week before he appeared in court. She described being unaware of the months-long negotiations and expressed shock at the extent of his deception, stating that she was still learning details of the purchases on the day he admitted guilt.
Reflecting on the period leading up to the sentencing, Sturgeon admitted she had been concerned about Murrell’s mental health and wellbeing due to his isolation. However, she later described herself as a “mug” for worrying about him, asserting that he did not consider her or his actions during that time. She stated she does not understand his motivations and believes he never stopped to consider the impact of his conduct on her.
The former first minister also addressed her role in the party’s governance, admitting that retaining Murrell as SNP chief executive when she became party leader in November 2014 was an “error of judgment.” Despite this admission, she refused to apologise for his crimes and has previously denied ever consciously seeing the motorhome he purchased and stored at her mother-in-law’s house.
