NICOLA Sturgeon has issued a statement in the wake of her estranged husband Peter Murrell being given more than five years in prison, hitting out at media and distancing herself from his crimes.
On Tuesday, former SNP chief executive Murrell was given five years and three months behind bars for embezzling more than £400,000 from the party over 12 years.
It was then reported that Police Scotland had sent a report to the Crown Office in August 2024 seeking advice on whether further inquiries were needed in relation to the former first minister as well as Colin Beattie, the former SNP treasurer.
Sturgeon was arrested as part of the investigation in June 2023, but faced no charges from police and prosecutors agreed that was the correct course of action.
On Tuesday, she issued a statement through her lawyer Aamer Anwar refuting any knowledge of Murrell’s embezzlement and hitting out at suggestions to the contrary.
It read: “Ms Sturgeon finds it disgraceful and beyond outrageous that she is being asked to comment on so-called ‘background’ briefings by the Police/Crown.
“Whilst anonymous sources have desperately tried to insinuate guilt, it is clear following a two-year gold-plated and robust investigation, Ms Sturgeon was neither charged, prosecuted, nor convicted of any offence.
“Ms Sturgeon is innocent of any crime and whilst that might be a source of annoyance for some, it remains a fact that it was Mr Murrell who was charged, tried, convicted, and imprisoned for his crimes today.
“Ms Sturgeon remains angry, hurt and distressed about the devastating impact of Mr Murrell’s actions on her, his family, friends and the SNP.
“Ms Sturgeon was utterly deceived and let down by her husband whom she had trusted. Why he acted as he did will always be beyond her comprehension. She is utterly appalled that he did so and will never understand why.
“There will be no further comment."
Sturgeon had faced questions after she told media that she had not knowingly seen a £125,000 motorhome which Murrell bought with SNP funds and kept on his parents’ driveway.
An image released by the Crown Office on Tuesday showed the motorhome on the drive, next to a window.
It is understood, however, that Sturgeon stands by her position of having “no memory of seeing that motorhome” and that the view of the driveway is obscured from the entrance to Murrell’s parent’s house.
A statement from the Crown Office said: “On August 9 2024, police submitted a request for advice and guidance concerning Nicola Sturgeon and Colin Beattie.
“This was not a report seeking the consideration of prosecution.
“Police did not charge and sought the Crown’s view on the evidence, and whether there were further inquiries required.
“The police did not report anyone for consideration of prosecution for the crime of fraud.
“Once the SPR (standard prosecution report) had been received, prosecutors undertook further investigation.
“This is a routine part of serious case preparation and involves detailed consideration of the evidence, identification of any gaps, and requests for further work by police where necessary before a final prosecutorial decision is taken.”
Speaking on Tuesday, John Logue, the chief executive of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, said: “I recognise the significant public and media interest in this case. It is understandable that people wanted more information at earlier stages, but it would not have been appropriate to comment in detail while the criminal investigation and court proceedings were ongoing.
“As in all cases, prosecutors had to protect the investigation and act fairly to everyone involved. Criminal cases require careful, evidence-led preparation and decisions reached through normal legal processes.
“The indictment in this case was served well in advance of the applicable statutory time limits. Decisions about the case were taken independently by prosecutors and Crown Counsel, applying the law to the evidence, and not by reference to political interests.”
