Scottish First Minister Knew About Charges Against Sturgeon's Husband a Year Before They Were Made Public

Scottish First Minister John Swinney was informed about criminal charges against Peter Murrell, the former SNP chief executive and husband of former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, nearly a year before they were made public. The information was conveyed to him by Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain in March 2025, as revealed by documents published by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) under pressure from parliamentarians. According to a note from March 20, 2025, Bain informed Swinney that Murrell had been charged with embezzling over £460,000 from party funds. This amount, later precisely specified as £459,046.49, was not publicly known at the time and only became widely known in January 2026 when reported by the Scottish press. The office of Lord Advocate, Scotland's most senior legal officer, combines the functions of head of prosecution and principal legal advisor to the government. This dual role, rooted in the legal system derived from British tradition, has been the subject of dispute for years, with critics pointing to a potential conflict of interest between prosecutorial independence and loyalty to the cabinet. The disclosure of this specific case has caused a political storm. Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay called it "shocking" and stated it shows a two-tier justice system where only the First Minister and his advisors receive secret information. Meanwhile, John Swinney himself defended Bain's action, claiming it was "entirely appropriate" and in line with long-standing practice. In response to parliamentary demands for explanations, COPFS published an unprecedented list of nearly 30 cases in which the Lord Advocate had informed successive Scottish or UK First Ministers about significant proceedings. The list includes cases of major public importance, such as the Lockerbie bombing investigation, the terrorist attack at Glasgow Airport, and the death of Sheku Bayoh. The prosecution service emphasizes that Bain acted in accordance with her duties, and informing the First Minister aimed to confirm facts after extensive media speculation and to remind ministers of the prohibition on commenting on ongoing proceedings. „That's a long standing principle. The Lord Advocate has applied it in this particular issue and in other issues and it is an entirely appropriate course of action for the Lord Advocate to take.” — John Swinney The case has fueled debate about reforming the Lord Advocate's office and separating prosecutorial from advisory functions. Peter Murrell has not yet entered a plea of guilty or not guilty, and a preliminary hearing in his case has been scheduled for May 25. The notes to the First Minister also included confirmation of the conclusion of police investigations into Nicola Sturgeon herself and former SNP treasurer Colin Beattie, although no charges were brought against them. This event sheds new light on the relationship between politics and the justice system in Scotland and will likely have consequences for the ongoing Scottish Parliament election campaign.