London (United Kingdom), 23 June (LaPresse/AP) – The ex-husband of Nicola Sturgeon, the former First Minister of Scotland, has been sentenced to five years and three months in prison for embezzling over 400,000 pounds from the Scottish National Party to fund a lavish lifestyle whilst he was the party’s chief executive. Peter Murrell, 61, admitted to using party funds to buy a luxury campervan and two cars, including a Jaguar. He also purchased luxury goods such as Bremont watches and household items, including two toilet seats. The time he has already served in custody has been taken into account. “Overall, this was a premeditated and dishonest offence,” said Judge James Young. “And I would like to make it clear that one of the reasons for the sentence I have handed down today is to act as a deterrent to any senior official in other large organisations who might be tempted to abuse their position as you have done.” Sturgeon distanced herself from Murrell’s crimes and claimed to have had no knowledge of them. Murrell’s conviction brings to an end a turbulent period for the party in Scotland, which advocates independence from the United Kingdom, and for the couple who once led it.
Scotland: Former First Minister Sturgeon’s ex-husband sentenced to over five years in prison
London (United Kingdom), 23 June (LaPresse/AP) – The ex-husband of Nicola Sturgeon, the former First Minister of Scotland, has been sentenced to five years and three months in prison for embezzling over 400,000 pounds from the Scottish National Party to fund a lavish lifestyle whilst he was the party’s chief executive. Peter Murrell, 61, admitted to using party funds to buy a luxury campervan and two cars, including a Jaguar. He also purchased luxury goods such as Bremont watches and household items, including two toilet seats. The time he has already served in custody has been taken into account. “Overall, this was a premeditated and dishonest offence,” said Judge James Young. “And I would like to make it clear that one of the reasons for the sentence I have handed down today is to act as a deterrent to any senior official in other large organisations who might be tempted to abuse their position as you have done.” Sturgeon distanced herself from Murrell’s crimes and claimed to have had no knowledge of them. Murrell’s conviction brings to an end a turbulent period for the party in Scotland, which advocates independence from the United Kingdom, and for the couple who once led it.
