John Swinney has offered his apologies to the Scottish National Party's donors after former chief executive Peter Murrell pleaded guilty to embezzling £400,000.
Murrell, 61, who is former first minister Nicola Sturgeon’s estranged husband, was alleged to have used the money to buy items including a motorhome and luxury goods, as well as to purchase two cars.
Addressing the news at a press conference, the SNP leader and current First Minister said: “I am sorry to the people who are affected; I’m quite happy to say that.
“The person responsible for this is Peter Murrell; it's not my conduct that got us to this – it's Peter Murrell’s.
“If it helps, I'll say sorry to everyone involved."
In the statement from the Marriott Hotel in Edinburgh, Mr Swinney said Murrell’s actions were a “terrible breach of trust and overwhelming betrayal”.
“I share the overwhelming anger of SNP members,” he said.
“By embezzling from the SNP, Peter Murrell was stealing the hopes, the dreams and the aspirations of thousands of people all over Scotland.”
John Swinney has offered his apologies after former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell pleaded guilty to embezzling £400,000
|GB NEWS
The First Minister said his mind was occupied by the “decent people” who had raised money through humble efforts like jumble sales.
When asked about the position of Ms Sturgeon, Mr Swinney said he believed that she knew nothing of her estranged husband’s actions.
In a statement issued by her lawyers, Ms Sturgeon said: “Today the media is reporting details of items that my former husband has now admitted buying with SNP funds.
“I have seen questions raised about how I could not have known about this. I want to reiterate that I had no knowledge or suspicion whatsoever that personal items had been purchased using SNP funds.
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Nicola Sturgeon’s estranged husband used the money to buy items including a motorhome and luxury goods,
|POLICE SCOTLAND
“I was cleared of any wrongdoing after a lengthy and thorough investigation. In relation to many of the items in question, for example expensive watches and games consoles, I was not aware of them having been purchased at all.
“Indeed in relation to the item of largest value – a campervan – I was not aware of its existence until it featured in the police investigation in early 2023, nor was it parked in our driveway as has been claimed by some.
“In respect of any items I was aware of Peter having purchased, I had no reason to doubt that he had used his own money.
“We were both earning high salaries and, due to the responsibilities of my job, rarely socialised or went on holidays. We had separate bank accounts and I had no access to his financial records.
Peter Murrell was remanded into custody after pleading guilty at the High Court in Edinburgh
|GETTY
“To be deceived and let down by a husband I loved and trusted has caused me acute pain. Why he acted as he did is, and always will be, beyond my comprehension.
“I do believe her,” Mr Swinney said when asked by reporters, adding: "She was not aware.
“I believe that, and I acknowledged that.
“If I feel sore today, I can’t imagine how Nicola Sturgeon feels,” the First Minister said.
Murrell was remanded into custody after pleading guilty at the High Court in Edinburgh.
He was first arrested in April 2023, as police investigated the SNP finance's and was charged in April 2024.
The indictment included allegations Murrell used party funds to buy a £124,550 motorhome for his own personal use.
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