Former SNP chief Peter Murrell sentenced to more than five years for embezzling party funds

Summary

This live page is now closed - read more here
Peter Murrell is sentenced to five years and three months after he admitted embezzling more than £400,000 from the SNP
The party's former chief executive showed little reaction, staring straight ahead, before being led away in handcuffs, writes our Scotland editor
Judge Lord Young says Murrell's actions amount to a "significant breach of trust", and his position in the party meant he was able to "circumvent checks and balances"
A lawyer for former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon says she has been "let down" by her estranged husband, and remains "angry, hurt and distressed"
Murrell, 61, used the funds to buy goods ranging from cars to kitchenware and toiletries, between 2010 and 2022 - use our interactive tool to see what Murrell bought
Shortly after the sentencing, prosecutors released dozens of new pictures showing items he bought using embezzeled funds
Ahead of the judge's sentencing remarks, the court heard that there are sufficient funds for Murrell to repay the embezzled sum

Edited by Paul McLaren, with James Cook and Paul O'Hare reporting from the High Court in Edinburgh

Who is Peter Murrell?published at 08:53 BST

Image source, PA
Image caption,
Former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell
As SNP chief executive for more than 20 years, Peter Murrell oversaw a historic period of electoral success.
Throughout that time he was happy to operate in the background, shying away from personal publicity.
Murrell was perhaps best known as the husband of former SNP leader and first minister Nicola Sturgeon. The couple married in 2010 but separated last year.
Sturgeon resigned as first minister in February 2023 and Murrell stepped down from his role a month later, after admitting to misleading the media about SNP membership figures.
He was arrested in April 2023 following a police raid at the house he shared with Sturgeon and the SNP's Edinburgh headquarters.
Having never sought the limelight, Murrell found himself thrust into it.
Murrell to be sentenced for embezzling SNP fundspublished at 08:49 BST

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage as Peter Murrell returns to court for sentencing after he pleaded guilty to embezzling more than £400,000 from the SNP.
The former SNP chief executive faces a potentially lengthy prison term.
You can watch the proceedings at the High Court in Edinburgh by clicking on the watch live icon at the top of this page from just before 09:30 and we'll bring you reports and analysis throughout.