← All storiesGeneralDeveloping story

How it unfolded: The SNP finances controversy

The former chief executive of the Scottish National Party, Peter Murrell, has admitted embezzling more than £400,000 from party funds. His guilty plea follows Operation Branchform, a police investigation which also saw former first minister Nicola Sturgeon - who was married to Murrell - and former SNP treasurer Colin Beattie arrested and questioned. No charges were brought against Sturgeon and Beattie, and they were later told they were no longer under investigation. Here are some of the key dates from the long-running controversy and police probe into the party's finances. September 2014 - The referendum on Scottish independence sees voters reject becoming an independent country by a margin of 55% to 45%. The SNP leader and first minister Alex Salmond announces he will resign and in November he is replaced, uncontested, by his deputy Nicola Sturgeon. May 2015 - Despite disappointment at the referendum result, the SNP's political fortunes rise with many 'Yes' supporters joining the party. In May it secures a landslide win in a UK-wide general election. June 2016 - Voters across the UK vote to leave the European Union by 52% to 48%, but in Scotland 62% of voters want to remain in th

4
updates in timeline
2
distinct sources
1 day
story span
May 26, 2026
latest update

May 25, 2026 → May 26, 2026

LATEST DEVELOPMENT
May 26, 2026·BBCT2 · Outlet report
'I'm the man with the money,' Murrell told Shetland jeweller

When Nicola Sturgeon visited a jeweller's shop in Shetland in 2019, her husband told its owner he was "the man with the money". At the time Peter Murrell was the chief executive of the SNP, while his wife was party leader and Scotland's…

Read original at BBC →
ACTIVITY · UPDATES PER MONTH
May 26

4 updates from 2 sources over 1 day.

Showing 4 of 4 updates

Timeline (4 updates)

May 2026

4 updates
May 26, 2026·BBCT2 · Outlet reportLATEST
'I'm the man with the money,' Murrell told Shetland jeweller

When Nicola Sturgeon visited a jeweller's shop in Shetland in 2019, her husband told its owner he was "the man with the money". At the time Peter Murrell was the chief executive of the SNP, while his wife was party…

Read original at BBC →
May 25, 2026·The GuardianT2 · Outlet reportKEY MOMENT
Luxury watches, iPads and a Jaguar: what Peter Murrell bought with embezzled funds

Former SNP chief also blew chunks of the stolen £400,310 on posh coffee machines and a robotic lawnmower Peter Murrell pleads guilty to embezzling £400,000 The list of luxury items bought by Peter Murrell using the…

Read original at The Guardian →
May 25, 2026·BBCT2 · Outlet reportKEY MOMENT
Former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell admits embezzling party funds

Former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell has admitted embezzling more than £400,000 from the party. Murrell, the estranged husband of the former first minister Nicola Sturgeon, pleaded guilty at the High Court in…

Read original at BBC →
May 25, 2026·BBCT2 · Outlet reportOPENING
How it unfolded: The SNP finances controversy

The former chief executive of the Scottish National Party, Peter Murrell, has admitted embezzling more than £400,000 from party funds. His guilty plea follows Operation Branchform, a police investigation which also saw…

Read original at BBC →

Sources & evidence (4)

What this story stands on. Tier 0 is a primary record or the subject's own words; higher tiers must be attributed, never stated as bare fact.

T2 · Outlet report× 4
COVERAGE BY SOURCE
BBC 3The Guardian 1
STRONGEST EVIDENCE
T2 · Outlet reportBBCMay 26, 2026

When Nicola Sturgeon visited a jeweller's shop in Shetland in 2019, her husband told its owner he was "the man with the money". At the time Peter Murrell was the chief executive of the SNP, while his wife was party leader and Scotland's…

View source →
T2 · Outlet reportThe GuardianMay 25, 2026

Former SNP chief also blew chunks of the stolen £400,310 on posh coffee machines and a robotic lawnmower Peter Murrell pleads guilty to embezzling £400,000 The list of luxury items bought by Peter Murrell using the £400,310 he stole from…

View source →
T2 · Outlet reportBBCMay 25, 2026

Former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell has admitted embezzling more than £400,000 from the party. Murrell, the estranged husband of the former first minister Nicola Sturgeon, pleaded guilty at the High Court in Edinburgh and has been…

View source →
T2 · Outlet reportBBCMay 25, 2026

The former chief executive of the Scottish National Party, Peter Murrell, has admitted embezzling more than £400,000 from party funds. His guilty plea follows Operation Branchform, a police investigation which also saw former first…

View source →

Tier key: T0 = Primary source · T1 = Wire · T2 = Outlet report · T3 = Commentary

Related stories

GeneralT2 · Outlet report

Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe announced as new Strictly Come Dancing hosts

The trio will present the 2026 edition of Strictly Come Dancing following the departure of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe have…

3 updates2 sources6 days long
May 19, 2026 → May 25, 2026
Latest: Strictly was terrifying, ex weather presenter Carol Kirkwood says · BBC
GeneralT2 · Outlet report

Body found in search for missing hillwalker

The body of a man has been found in the search for a missing American hillwalker. Timothy Rosser, 60, was last seen after leaving his hotel in Edinburgh before driving to the…

3 updates1 source
May 25, 2026
Latest: Police officer raped two women and abused a third · BBC
PoliticsT2 · Outlet report

Swinney keen to work with fellow nationalist devolved leaders in UK

SNP leader wants to ensure voices of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland ‘are heard loud and clear’ John Swinney has said he plans to work with the nationalist first ministers in…

14 updates2 sources2 weeks long
May 9, 2026 → May 25, 2026
Latest: UK records its hottest ever day in May as temperature hits 34.8C · The Guardian
GeneralT2 · Outlet report

Family pay tribute after man dies in alleged attack in South Queensferry

The family of a man who died following an alleged attack in South Queensferry have paid tribute to a "much-loved son and uncle." Police were called to reports of an assault in the…

1 update1 source
May 25, 2026
Latest: Family pay tribute after man dies in alleged attack in South Queensferry · BBC
GeneralT2 · Outlet report

Edinburgh trams: Council reaches settlement after suing law firm

The City of Edinburgh Council has settled its multi-million pound damages claim against a law firm that advised it over the first tram project. The local authority was seeking…

2 updates1 source7 days long
May 18, 2026 → May 25, 2026
Latest: Landlord Mark Fortune's Edinburgh property portfolio put up for auction · BBC
GeneralT2 · Outlet report

Man faces 'lengthy sentence' over Borders crime spree

A man who admitted attacking strangers, threatening behaviour and fire-raising across the Scottish Borders has been warned he faces a "lengthy sentence". Shane Donnelly, 27,…

5 updates2 sources3 weeks long
May 7, 2026 → May 25, 2026
Latest: Scott McTominay overhead kick featured on new £20 banknote · BBC