{"id":27579,"date":"2024-04-20T05:09:44","date_gmt":"2024-04-20T09:09:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/?p=27579"},"modified":"2024-04-20T05:09:44","modified_gmt":"2024-04-20T09:09:44","slug":"peter-murrell-husband-of-former-scotland-first-minister-nicola-sturgeon-charged-with-embezzlement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/2024\/04\/20\/peter-murrell-husband-of-former-scotland-first-minister-nicola-sturgeon-charged-with-embezzlement\/","title":{"rendered":"Peter Murrell husband of former Scotland First Minister Nicola Sturgeon charged with embezzlement"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\"><b class=\"ssrcss-1xjjfut-BoldText e5tfeyi3\">The husband of former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has been charged in connection with the embezzlement of funds from the Scottish National Party.<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Peter Murrell, 59, was taken into custody at 09:13 on Thursday and was questioned by Police Scotland detectives.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">He was previously arrested as a suspect on 5 April 2023 before being released without charge.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">BBC Scotland understands Mr Murrell has resigned his SNP membership.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">He was charged at 18:35 after further questioning by officers investigating the funding and finances of the party as part of Operation Branchform.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Mr Murrell has since been released from police custody at Falkirk Police Station and returned to his home near Glasgow shortly after 20:00<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">He resigned as the SNP&#8217;s chief executive in March of last year after 22 years in the job.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\" data-component=\"unordered-list-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1o5f7ft-BulletListContainer e5tfeyi0\">\n<ul role=\"list\">\n<li><a class=\"ssrcss-f6h2dj-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-65310664\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Timeline: The SNP finances controversy<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"ssrcss-f6h2dj-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-64972863\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Peter Murrell: One half of Scotland&#8217;s power couple<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">An SNP spokesperson said: &#8220;While this development will come as a shock, the police investigation remains ongoing and it would, therefore, be inappropriate to make any comment.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-xza2yt-ComponentWrapper ep2nwvo1\" data-component=\"image-block\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-8589xk-StyledFigure e34k3c23\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\"><span class=\"ssrcss-sft8a2-Placeholder etlorgc0\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/FE68\/production\/_133182156_murrell.jpg.webp 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/FE68\/production\/_133182156_murrell.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/FE68\/production\/_133182156_murrell.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/cpsprodpb\/FE68\/production\/_133182156_murrell.jpg.webp 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/FE68\/production\/_133182156_murrell.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/976\/cpsprodpb\/FE68\/production\/_133182156_murrell.jpg.webp 976w\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"ssrcss-11yxrdo-Image edrdn950\" src=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/976\/cpsprodpb\/FE68\/production\/_133182156_murrell.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/FE68\/production\/_133182156_murrell.jpg 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/FE68\/production\/_133182156_murrell.jpg 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/FE68\/production\/_133182156_murrell.jpg 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/cpsprodpb\/FE68\/production\/_133182156_murrell.jpg 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/FE68\/production\/_133182156_murrell.jpg 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/976\/cpsprodpb\/FE68\/production\/_133182156_murrell.jpg 976w\" alt=\"nicola sturgeon and peter murrell\" width=\"976\" height=\"549\" \/><\/picture><\/span><\/div><figcaption class=\"ssrcss-1mget3o-StyledFigureCaption e34k3c22\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-y7krbn-Stack e1y4nx260\">Nicola Sturgeon and Peter Murrell, seen here after voting in the 2019 general election, have been married since 2010 (Image: PA Media)<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Police Scotland launched a formal investigation into the SNP&#8217;s finances in July 2021 after receiving complaints about how donations were used.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Questions had been raised about more than \u00a3660,000 in donations given to the party for use in a fresh independence referendum campaign.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">When Mr Murrell was arrested last year, police searched the house he shares with Ms Sturgeon near Glasgow and the SNP headquarters in Edinburgh. The couple married in 2010.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The house was sealed off with blue and white tape, while a tent was erected on the driveway. Items were brought from the house to the tent, where the BBC understands a vehicle was parked.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Police also seized a camper van from outside the Dunfermline home of Mr Murrell&#8217;s mother.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The Niesmann and Bischoff vehicle, which can retail for more than \u00a3100,000, was seized by police the same morning that Mr Murrell became the first senior party figure to be arrested in the probe.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">On 18 April 2023, SNP treasurer and MSP Colin Beattie was arrested and interviewed by police before being released pending further investigation. He later resigned as treasurer.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-xza2yt-ComponentWrapper ep2nwvo1\" data-component=\"image-block\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-8589xk-StyledFigure e34k3c23\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\"><span class=\"ssrcss-sft8a2-Placeholder etlorgc0\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/93B0\/production\/_129280873_sturgeonhome.jpg.webp 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/93B0\/production\/_129280873_sturgeonhome.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/93B0\/production\/_129280873_sturgeonhome.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/cpsprodpb\/93B0\/production\/_129280873_sturgeonhome.jpg.webp 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/93B0\/production\/_129280873_sturgeonhome.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/976\/cpsprodpb\/93B0\/production\/_129280873_sturgeonhome.jpg.webp 976w\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"ssrcss-11yxrdo-Image edrdn950\" src=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/976\/cpsprodpb\/93B0\/production\/_129280873_sturgeonhome.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/93B0\/production\/_129280873_sturgeonhome.jpg 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/93B0\/production\/_129280873_sturgeonhome.jpg 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/93B0\/production\/_129280873_sturgeonhome.jpg 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/cpsprodpb\/93B0\/production\/_129280873_sturgeonhome.jpg 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/93B0\/production\/_129280873_sturgeonhome.jpg 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/976\/cpsprodpb\/93B0\/production\/_129280873_sturgeonhome.jpg 976w\" alt=\"Police activity outside Mr Murrell's home\" width=\"976\" height=\"549\" \/><\/picture><\/span><\/div><figcaption class=\"ssrcss-1mget3o-StyledFigureCaption e34k3c22\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-y7krbn-Stack e1y4nx260\">Police erected a tent in front of the house Mr Murrell shares with Ms Sturgeon when he was arrested last year<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Ms Sturgeon was arrested on 11 June when she voluntarily arranged with Police Scotland to be questioned as part of the investigation, a spokesperson said at the time.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">She was released without charge seven hours later pending further inquiries.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Ms Sturgeon had unexpectedly announced she was resigning as SNP leader and first minister four months earlier in February 2023.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">A spokesperson for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) said: &#8220;Senior professional prosecutors from COPFS and an Advocate Depute are working with police on this ongoing investigation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;It is standard practice that any case regarding politicians is dealt with by prosecutors without the involvement of the Lord Advocate or Solicitor General. All Scotland&#8217;s prosecutors act independently of political interference.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;As is routine, to protect the integrity of ongoing investigations, we do not comment in detail on their conduct.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">A Police Scotland spokesperson said: &#8220;As this investigation is ongoing we are unable to comment further.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;The matter is active for the purposes of the Contempt of Court Act 1981 and the public are therefore advised to exercise caution if discussing it on social media.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-xza2yt-ComponentWrapper ep2nwvo1\" data-component=\"image-block\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-8589xk-StyledFigure e34k3c23\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1dkomv0-Placeholder etlorgc0\"><picture><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"ssrcss-11yxrdo-Image edrdn950\" src=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/464\/cpsprodpb\/10301\/production\/_98950366_presentational_grey_line464-nc.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/10301\/production\/_98950366_presentational_grey_line464-nc.jpg 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/10301\/production\/_98950366_presentational_grey_line464-nc.jpg 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/10301\/production\/_98950366_presentational_grey_line464-nc.jpg 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/cpsprodpb\/10301\/production\/_98950366_presentational_grey_line464-nc.jpg 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/10301\/production\/_98950366_presentational_grey_line464-nc.jpg 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/976\/cpsprodpb\/10301\/production\/_98950366_presentational_grey_line464-nc.jpg 976w\" alt=\"Presentational grey line\" width=\"464\" height=\"2\" \/><\/picture><\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-xza2yt-ComponentWrapper ep2nwvo1\" data-component=\"image-block\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-8589xk-StyledFigure e34k3c23\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\"><span class=\"ssrcss-r3kfgo-Placeholder etlorgc0\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/11855\/production\/_117156717_davidcowan_tr-nc.png.webp 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/11855\/production\/_117156717_davidcowan_tr-nc.png.webp 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/11855\/production\/_117156717_davidcowan_tr-nc.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/cpsprodpb\/11855\/production\/_117156717_davidcowan_tr-nc.png.webp 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/11855\/production\/_117156717_davidcowan_tr-nc.png.webp 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/976\/cpsprodpb\/11855\/production\/_117156717_davidcowan_tr-nc.png.webp 976w\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"ssrcss-11yxrdo-Image edrdn950\" src=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1536\/cpsprodpb\/11855\/production\/_117156717_davidcowan_tr-nc.png\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/11855\/production\/_117156717_davidcowan_tr-nc.png 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/11855\/production\/_117156717_davidcowan_tr-nc.png 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/11855\/production\/_117156717_davidcowan_tr-nc.png 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/cpsprodpb\/11855\/production\/_117156717_davidcowan_tr-nc.png 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/11855\/production\/_117156717_davidcowan_tr-nc.png 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/976\/cpsprodpb\/11855\/production\/_117156717_davidcowan_tr-nc.png 976w\" alt=\"Analysis box by David Cowan, Home affairs correspondent, BBC Scotland\" width=\"1536\" height=\"306.11957796014065\" \/><\/picture><\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Now that Peter Murrell has been charged, the next step is for the police to send a report on the case to prosecutors at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Its lawyers will decide whether the case goes to court, applying the usual tests.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">They&#8217;ll consider whether or not there&#8217;s sufficient evidence that a crime has been committed and that the person accused by the police was responsible.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">They&#8217;ll also decide whether a prosecution is in the public interest.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">It&#8217;s coming up for three years since Operation Branchform was launched so the police report is likely to be a hefty document.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-uf6wea-RichTextComponentWrapper ep2nwvo0\" data-component=\"text-block\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-7uxr49-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">How long all this will take isn&#8217;t clear.<\/p>\n<p>Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/uk-scotland-68850088\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">bbc.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"mh-excerpt\">The husband of former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has been charged in connection with the embezzlement of funds from the Scottish National Party. Peter Murrell, 59, was taken into custody at 09:13 on Thursday and <a class=\"mh-excerpt-more\" href=\"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/2024\/04\/20\/peter-murrell-husband-of-former-scotland-first-minister-nicola-sturgeon-charged-with-embezzlement\/\" title=\"Peter Murrell husband of former Scotland First Minister Nicola Sturgeon charged with embezzlement\">[&#8230;]<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":27580,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pmpro_default_level":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2,4],"tags":[10303,9325,10301,2662,8828,10302,9324,7596,1077,9322,6301],"class_list":{"0":"post-27579","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-news","8":"category-uk","9":"tag-contempt-of-court-act-1981","10":"tag-crown-office-and-procurator-fiscal-service","11":"tag-dunfermline","12":"tag-embezzlement","13":"tag-falkirk","14":"tag-operation-branchform","15":"tag-peter-murrell","16":"tag-police-scotland","17":"tag-scotland","18":"tag-scottish-national-party","19":"tag-snp","20":"pmpro-has-access"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27579","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27579"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27579\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27582,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27579\/revisions\/27582"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/27580"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27579"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27579"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27579"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}