The guilty plea from former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell on Monday sent shockwaves through Scottish politics and brought an outpouring of reaction from his estranged wife Nicola Sturgeon, the current First Minister and senior figures across Scotland.
Murrell, 61, pleaded guilty on May 25 to embezzling £400,310 from the party to finance a lavish lifestyle and was remanded in custody ahead of sentencing. He was handcuffed in the dock at the High Court in Edinburgh. Sentencing is due to take place on June 23. Judge Lord Young told Murrell that his actions over 12 years constituted a gross breach of trust given his position as chief executive of the organisation throughout that entire period.
