Nicola Sturgeon fires back at critics after SNP embezzlement scandal

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleNicola Sturgeon said she had been ‘vilified’ for the actions of her former husband (Adam Tatton-Reid/Hay Festival/PA) (PA)Nicola Sturgeon has strongly refuted allegations that she suppressed concerns about the Scottish National Party's finances during her leadership, stating that many claims made about her are "not true" and promising further revelations now that she is "able to speak". Her comments follow the admission by her estranged husband, Peter Murrell, the SNP’s former chief executive, that he embezzled over £400,000 from the party across a 12-year period. Sturgeon clarified that her 2021 remarks, which critics cited as evidence of her cautioning about financial issues, were related to a police investigation into funds for a second independence referendum, not embezzlement, which she claims she only became aware of in 2023. She revealed that she has been "completely cleared and exonerated" by police, stating she was misled, deceived, and lied to by Murrell, and expressed deep personal pain over the betrayal. The former first minister conceded that retaining her then-husband as chief executive was a "misjudgement" in hindsight, but maintained that she should not be held responsible for his crimes. In fullNicola Sturgeon denies silencing SNP figures who raised doubts over financesThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

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