Nicola Sturgeon defended her political record Sunday after her estranged husband, Peter Murrell, was convicted of embezzling funds from the Scottish National Party [1].

The conviction marks a significant blow to the reputation of the former First Minister, as the legal fallout centers on the financial mismanagement of the party she once led.

Murrell, the former chief executive of the SNP, was convicted of embezzling more than £400,000 [1]. The legal proceedings concluded on May 31, 2026 [1]. Sturgeon has since moved her residence to London [2].

Sturgeon spoke about the emotional toll of the conviction and the impact on her personal life. "This has been probably the worst week of my life," Sturgeon said [3]. She described herself as "angry, hurt, sad and very distressed" [4].

Despite the conviction of her husband, Sturgeon rejected any personal responsibility for the theft of party money. She maintained that her own political record remains untarnished, a stance she reinforced by stating, "I will not apologise for somebody else's crimes" [5].

The case has drawn intense scrutiny toward the internal financial controls of the SNP during Murrell's tenure. While the court focused on Murrell's actions, the proximity of the two figures has fueled public debate regarding oversight within the party's executive leadership [1].

Sturgeon has not faced charges in connection with the embezzlement case. She continues to distance herself from Murrell's criminal actions while navigating the public aftermath of the trial [1], [2].

“"I will not apologise for somebody else's crimes."”

The conviction of Peter Murrell creates a lasting political liability for Nicola Sturgeon, regardless of her own legal standing. By moving to London and publicly distancing herself from her estranged husband, Sturgeon is attempting to decouple her legacy as a national leader from the criminal actions of the party's former chief executive.