Who is Peter Murrell? The disgraced SNP chief who embezzled 400k

The Independent describes its journalism mission and funding model, emphasizing reporting without paywalls and sending journalists to cover developing stories across political issues. It also recounts Peter Murrell’s role in the Scottish National Party, where he served as chief executive since 1999 and oversaw day-to-day operations during the party’s rise around the 2014 independence referendum. After Nicola Sturgeon resigned as First Minister in February 2023, a dispute over SNP membership numbers led to Murrell’s resignation from his long-held role. In April, police raided the couple’s home near Glasgow under Operation Branchform, investigating SNP finances. Murrell was later arrested and charged with embezzlement.

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"Peter Murrell, once half of Scotland's most influential power couple as Nicola Sturgeon's husband, has seen a dramatic fall from grace. As the SNP's long-standing chief executive, he oversaw the party's rocketing rise and membership influx around the 2014 independence referendum. His fortunes changed after Ms Sturgeon's surprise resignation as First Minister in February 2023. A row over party membership numbers forced Murrell's resignation from the chief executive role he had held for over 20 years."

"In April, police dramatically raided the couple's home near Glasgow as part of Operation Branchform, an investigation into SNP finances. He was later arrested and charged with embezzlement. Until he stepped down in 2023, Murrell had been at the helm of the party since 1999 and was responsible for its day-to-day running. While he was never an elected politician, the party official had previously worked in the constituency office of former SNP leader Alex Salmond."

Read at www.independent.co.uk