Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has revealed that she has not communicated with Peter Murrell since he began a prison sentence for embezzling over £400,000 from the Scottish National Party (SNP). Murrell, who served as the party’s chief executive, was sentenced to more than five years after being convicted of siphoning funds for personal luxuries, including a motorhome and high-end household items.
Speaking at an event hosted by broadcaster Iain Dale at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Sturgeon clarified that she intends neither to contact nor visit her estranged husband in prison. She expressed a sense of betrayal, admitting that she was unaware of the extent of his actions until the very day he entered his guilty plea. Sturgeon noted that during his time as chief executive, Murrell failed to be honest with her regarding his financial activities.
Reflecting on the discovery, the former leader shared that she feels naive for having worried about his well-being during his final months of isolation. She described the realization that she had been living with someone she did not truly know as a difficult personal ordeal. Following an extensive police investigation known as Operation Branchform, Sturgeon was arrested in 2023 but was later released and confirmed to be no longer under investigation.
During the same appearance, Sturgeon addressed recent public criticism from author J.K. Rowling, who had labeled her a misogynist on social media. Sturgeon suggested that while they disagree on fundamental political issues, such as independence and gender recognition legislation, she holds no personal animosity toward the author, despite Rowling’s vocal opposition to her tenure.
