Findlay demands Crown reveal why Sturgeon not charged – Daily Business

Unanswered questions: Nicola Sturgeon and Peter Murrell

Scottish Conservatives are today urging the Crown Office to explain why Nicola Sturgeon was not charged in relation to the investigation over missing party funds.

Tory leader Russell Findlay has submitted an urgent question in parliament demanding answers from the Scottish Government’s law officers.

The former First Minister’s ex-husband Peter Murrell yesterday admitted he embezzled more than £400,000 from the SNP to fund a luxury lifestyle. He is expecting a lengthy spell in jail when he is sentenced on 23 June.

Murrell used the stolen money to pay for a campervan, two cars and a host of luxury household items, and many people are questioning his estranged wife’s claim that she knew nothing about his wrongdoing.

Mr Findlay said that there were also unanswered questions over the the decision to delay yesterday’s hearing which was due to be held before the Scottish elections.

Legal sources have said a delay of this nature, which was at the request of the ­defence, was not unusual. However, Scottish Labour has also called for an inquiry into the reasons for the postponement, which meant there were restrictions on what could be reported, and therefore might influence voters.

Mr Findlay said: “Nicola Sturgeon was arrested during Operation Branchform and the public are entitled to know how and why the decision was reached not to charge or prosecute her. So far, no explanation has been given,” said Mr Findlay.

Russell Findlay: faith in the system has been damaged (pic: DB Media Services)

“Another key question is around the timing of the criminal investigation, which began in July 2021. Peter Murrell was allowed to strike a plea deal with prosecutors just weeks after the Scottish election, the timing of which was hugely advantageous to the SNP.

“Faith in Scotland’s justice system has already been damaged by the revelation that the Lord Advocate passed sensitive information about Operation Branchform to John Swinney. It is necessary for parliament to apply scrutiny to these key questions.”

Murrell, 61, began his crime spree a month after marrying the former first minister in 2010. Yesterday she continued to deny any knowledge of his wrongdoing.

“I want to reiterate that I had no knowledge or suspicion whatsoever that personal items had been purchased using SNP funds,” she said.

“I was cleared of any wrongdoing after a lengthy and thorough investigation. In relation to many of the items … for example expensive watches and games consoles, I was not aware of them having been purchased at all.

“We were both earning high salaries and, due to the responsibilities of my job, rarely socialised or went on holidays. We had separate bank ­accounts and I had no access to his financial records.”

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