Tag: embezzlement

‘I Was Misled’: Sturgeon’s reaction to Murrell guilty plea

Nicola Sturgeon has responded after her estranged husband Peter Murrell was remanded in custody after pleading guilty to embezzlement:

She wrote on Instagram: “My reaction to the guilty plea tendered today by my former husband is difficult to put into words. I am angry, hurt, sad and very distressed about the impact of his actions on family, friends and the SNP.

“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.

“To be clear: I had no knowledge or suspicion whatsoever that he was using SNP funds for personal purposes. I am utterly appalled that he did so and cannot begin to understand why.

“That I was fully cleared after a thorough investigation underlines that these are not my crimes. I was misled just as others were.

“I know that there will be political discussion in light of what has happened, and I understand why. However, for me this has also been a profound personal trauma.

“I need to remain focussed on recovering from that and building a new phase of life.

“I will be making no further comment.”

However in a statement later released via her solicitor Aamer Anwar, Ms. Sturgeon added: “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.

“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.”

Police Statement following conviction of Peter Murrell

Image of Peter Murrell

TODAY (Monday, 25 May, 2026), at the High Court in Edinburgh Peter Murrell was convicted of embezzling funds from the Scottish National Party.

Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Houston had oversight of Operation Branchform, Police Scotland’s investigation into the embezzlement.

ACC Houston said: “This was a lengthy and extremely complex case due to the scale of criminality over a 12-year period and the lengths Peter Murrell went to try and cover his tracks.

“I commend the professionalism and absolute dedication of the Operation Branchform team who spent more than four years carrying out extensive enquiries across Europe to unpick Murrell’s offending.

“All of this work, in close partnership with colleagues from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, was carried out under the most intense public scrutiny and it was their commitment to gathering such detailed and compelling evidence that brought us to the High Court today.

“This is without doubt one of the most high-profile investigations in recent times and it is testimony to the work of Police Scotland officers and staff that has led to Peter Murrell’s admission of guilt early in the court process.

“I would also like to thank the many witnesses who came forward to provide us with statements as we built the case against Peter Murrell. Their engagement with us was vital.

“Peter Murrell has shown utter contempt for the high public trust placed in him as the Chief Executive of a political party and his position in the wider political establishment in Scotland for many years.

“He abused his privileged position with access to Scottish National Party funds to divert cash into his own accounts and bankroll the lavish lifestyle he craved but could not afford.

“From 2010 to 2022 he spent hundreds of thousands of pounds on luxury goods while carefully trying to hide his criminality with false receipts and accounting.

“He must now face the consequences of his actions.”

Murrell was remanded in custody and will be sentenced next month.

Man convicted of embezzlement

Gordon Couch (57), was yesterday found guilty at Edinburgh Sheriff Court of Embezzlement after a three-week long trial.

Mr Couch has been convicted of embezzling £170,000 of funds from Marjorie Stewart, from Edinburgh, both prior to and after her death in September 2013 when he was acting as her Independent Financial Advisor, was her Power of Attorney and the Executor of her Will which afforded him trusted access to funds.

An investigation was launched in 2016 after Mrs Stewart’s family raised concerns about Mr Couch’s conduct including the misappropriation of funds.

Mr Couch had by this time moved to Hong Kong and officers began efforts to secure his return to the UK to face charges. He was finally arrested in 2019 after returning to the UK.

Detective Sergeant Craig Potter said: “This was a complex case covering a large number of years where the power and control afforded to one person was able to be abused.

“Marjorie Stewart’s family were key to uncovering the misappropriation and have shown exemplary conduct throughout the long wait for the case to come to court. Hopefully all the witnesses are afforded some closure by today’s verdict.”

Should you have criminal concerns with regard to Power of Attorney or financial issues, police should be contacted.

If you have concerns about anyone carrying out any of the roles for someone else then advice can always be sought from the relevant regulatory body:

Independent Financial Advisors – Financial Conduct Authority

Power of Attorney – Office of the Public Guardian

Executors – Law Society of Scotland