Nicola Sturgeon has broken her silence on Peter Murrell's embezzlement conviction, stating she refuses to apologise for what another person did and feels punished despite being innocent. The former Scottish first minister spoke on the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme after Murrell, her ex-husband and former chief executive of the Scottish National Party, pleaded guilty to embezzling more than £400,000 from the party.
Murrell's Crimes and Sentencing
Murrell, 61, misappropriated funds between 2010 and 2022, spending the money on a luxury motor home, a Jaguar SUV, boutique cosmetics, iPads, and a Lalique salt and pepper set worth £2,618. He is due to be sentenced in June.
Sturgeon's Response
Sturgeon, 55, was direct: "I am not responsible for the crimes that my former husband committed and I'm not going to apologise for somebody else's crimes." She added that Murrell "deceived" and "misled" her, describing her current situation as feeling "as if I'm serving a sentence for a crime I did not commit." She also emphasised that she would not contribute to the idea that women should be held responsible for the actions of men in their lives, pointing to messages from other women who felt betrayed by their partners.
Cleared but Still in the Spotlight
Sturgeon was not charged after a police investigation and has consistently said she had no knowledge of Murrell's actions. Speaking at the Hay festival in Wales, she noted that her photograph appeared on more Scottish front pages than Murrell's, calling it unjust. She stated she has no intention of stepping back from public life: "I've done nothing wrong. So I'm not going to hide away."
Political Implications
The SNP now faces pressure for an independent inquiry into its finances. The party is also preparing for two UK parliamentary by-elections in Aberdeen South and Arbroath and Broughty Ferry, both scheduled for June.
