LONDON — Peter Murrell, the 61-year-old estranged husband of former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, was sentenced Tuesday to five years and three months behind bars after admitting he stole more than 400,000 pounds — roughly $540,000 — from the Scottish National Party while serving as its chief executive.
Murrell confessed to using party money to purchase an expensive motorhome, two vehicles including a Jaguar, luxury Bremont watches, and various household items — even two toilet seats. He received credit for time already served.
Judge James Young did not mince words during sentencing. “All told, this was a calculated crime of dishonesty,” the judge stated. “And let me make it clear to you, one factor in the sentence which I imposed today will be to act as a deterrent to any senior officials in other large organizations who might be tempted to abuse their position in the way that you did.”
Sturgeon has publicly separated herself from her estranged husband’s wrongdoing, maintaining that she had no knowledge of his criminal actions.
The sentencing brings to a close a turbulent stretch for the Scottish National Party — which advocates for Scotland’s independence from the United Kingdom — and for the prominent political couple that once led it together.
