Former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell has been granted legal aid after being charged with embezzlement. Mr Murrell, the husband of former first minister Nicola Sturgeon, was charged in April of last year in a police investigation into SNP finances. The 60-year-old had an application for solemn legal aid approved by the Scottish Legal Aid Board. Mr Murrell made no plea when he appeared at at Edinburgh Sheriff Court in March and was granted bail. Legal aid is typically granted to people who cannot afford to pay for legal help themselves, though in some cases they still need to make their own contribution. The Scottish Legal Aid Board said Mr Murrell's lawyers made a successful application for support on 30 April, but no payments had yet been issued. A spokesperson said: "When assessing an applicant's eligibility for legal aid we look at their financial position at the time of their application. "This includes information they give us about their salary, the amount of money they have in the bank and any investments, which might be available to fund their own defence privately. "Peter Murrell's application met the tests we have to apply when deciding whether to grant legal aid." Mr Murrell was chief executive of the SNP for more than 20 years until he stood down in 2023 during the party leadership race to succeed Sturgeon. It came after the home they shared was searched by police looking into what happened to £660,000 of donations given to the party. It was part of an investigation, called Operation Branchform, that lasted almost four years. Mr Murrell was charged in April last year then appeared in court in March. In March, police also confirmed that Sturgeon and former SNP treasurer Colin Beattie were no longer under investigation in the probe. At the time, Sturgeon said: "I don't think there was ever a scrap of evidence that I had done anything wrong." In January this year, the former first minister announced she and Murrell had "decided to end" their marriage.
Peter Murrell granted legal aid over embezzlement charge
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"Peter Murrell Receives Legal Aid Amid Embezzlement Charges"
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TruthLens AI Summary
Peter Murrell, the former chief executive of the Scottish National Party (SNP) and husband of former first minister Nicola Sturgeon, has been granted legal aid following his embezzlement charge. This charge stems from a police investigation into the financial dealings of the SNP, which has been ongoing for nearly four years, known as Operation Branchform. Mr. Murrell, who led the SNP for over two decades, was charged in April 2022, and he made no plea when he appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court in March 2023. He has since been released on bail. Legal aid is typically available to individuals who cannot afford legal representation, and in Mr. Murrell's case, the Scottish Legal Aid Board approved his application based on his financial circumstances, although no payments have been made yet. The board assesses applicants based on their income, savings, and any potential assets that could fund their defense privately. Murrell's financial status met the criteria for legal aid approval, as confirmed by a spokesperson from the board.
The investigation into the SNP’s finances particularly focused on approximately £660,000 in donations made to the party. The police had conducted a search of the couple's home as part of this probe. In a notable development, both Nicola Sturgeon and former SNP treasurer Colin Beattie were cleared of any wrongdoing and are no longer under investigation. Sturgeon has publicly stated that she believes there has never been evidence implicating her in any illegal activities. In a personal turn of events, earlier this year, Sturgeon announced that she and Murrell had decided to end their marriage, marking a significant shift in their personal lives amidst the ongoing legal and financial scrutiny surrounding Murrell. The unfolding of these events not only highlights the challenges within the SNP but also raises questions about the governance and financial ethics of political parties in Scotland.
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