Former SNP treasurer Colin Beattie has expressed his shock and dismay after Peter Murrell, the party's former chief executive, pleaded guilty to embezzling more than £400,000. Beattie, who was himself arrested and questioned as part of the Operation Branchform investigation in 2023, said he felt 'genuinely hurt' by Murrell's actions.
Speaking at the Scottish Parliament, Beattie read a statement in which he described Murrell's guilty plea as 'a huge betrayal of the trust of the SNP'. He added that Murrell would 'have to bear that on his conscience, and face the punishment handed down to him next month'.
Beattie, who was told by police in March 2025 that he would face no further action, said Murrell had gone to 'extreme lengths to cover his tracks'. The investigation was launched after concerns were raised about £670,000 raised for a second Scottish independence referendum campaign.
Murrell, the estranged husband of former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, used the embezzled funds on luxury items including fountain pens, cars, crystal glass, ornaments, gardening equipment and cosmetics. He is due to be sentenced next month.
Beattie, a former international banker, served as SNP treasurer for over 20 years across two terms. He lost an internal election in 2020 but was reappointed the following year after his successor resigned.
