Inside the Legal Limbo: Peter Murrell's Property Sale Ban Amid SNP Financial Scandal

Peter Murrell, the former chief executive of the Scottish National Party (SNP) and estranged husband of Nicola Sturgeon, faces a legal ban on selling his properties as he navigates serious legal troubles linked to an ongoing police investigation. This restriction, an “inhibition” initiated in June 2023, came into effect a few months after Murrell was charged with embezzlement in connection with the SNP’s financial practices, particularly concerning approximately £650,000 raised for independence campaigning.

Murrell’s legal troubles began with his arrest in April 2023 under Operation Branchform, a probe that has been scrutinizing SNP finances for over three years. His charges followed a wave of controversy surrounding SNP financial management, leading to his resignation in March 2023 after he admitted to misleading the media regarding party membership figures.

In the midst of this turmoil, Nicola Sturgeon, who recently announced the couple’s separation after 13 years of marriage, was also arrested in June 2023 but released without charge. Sturgeon maintains her innocence and has clarified that her decision to step down as SNP leader was not a direct response to the police investigation.

The financial restrictions placed on Murrell are formalized through legal processes and aim to protect any assets that might need to be addressed should further legal proceedings arise. The Crown Office has refrained from commenting in detail on the investigation’s progression, emphasizing the procedural nature of these restrictions in politically sensitive cases. Murrell’s long tenure with the SNP and his relationship with Sturgeon—who publicly expressed that their separation was a mutual decision made with regret—add layers of complexity to a situation already fraught with legal and political implications.

As the investigation unfolds, with prosecutors exploring the findings of officers who have provided a report that could inform next steps, both Murrell and Sturgeon have indicated that they wish to move forward while maintaining a respectful regard for their past relationship.