Former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell is due to appear in court tomorrow (Monday) accused of embezzling funds from the party.
The preliminary hearing had been scheduled to take place before the Holyrood election earlier this month but was moved until after the vote.
It comes as newly published figures by Police Scotland show that £2,173,089 has been spent on staffing the probe into SNP finances, with a police overtime bill of £100,498 – up to April 30 this year.
The significant costs – which come in addition to those already spent by the Crown Office – have been racked up as part of the investigation into accusations that Murrell embezzled £460,000 of SNP funds over more than a decade.
He is alleged to have used the money to buy items including cars, a motorhome, luxury goods, shoes, cosmetics and jewellery between August 2010 and January 2023.
Police Scotland Chief Constable Jo Farrell has previously warned about the impact of funding set out by the Scottish Government falling short of what is required for the force to maintain officer numbers.
Scottish Labour Justice spokesperson Pauline McNeill said “Given the dire state of the country’s finances as a result of SNP incompetence, the SNP must urgently clarify whether they intend to make any cuts to Police Scotland budgets in the years ahead.
“It cannot be the case that financial pressures are further heaped on the service as a result of the negligence of ministers – or because money has had to be spent investigating allegations of SNP fraud.
“Taxpayers should not have to foot the bill due to the actions of senior SNP figures, with our communities less safe due to any potential decline in officer numbers.
“The Chief Constable has already clearly stated the financial situation facing the force, with a significant shortfall in funding. The incoming Justice Secretary Neil Gray must heed this warning before it is too late.
“Ivan McKee must also urgently explain whether his role will require him to make brutal cuts to our public services, and whether this will include Police Scotland.”
View 2 ImagesPolice outside the home of former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and now estranged husband Peter Murrell on April 06, 2023 in Glasgow(Image: Getty)
Murrell was first arrested in April 2023 as part of the police investigation into the SNP’s finances and was charged in April 2024.
He appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court in March 2025 where he faced a charge of embezzlement, making no plea.
Until he stood down in 2023 during the leadership race to succeed Ms Sturgeon, Murrell had been chief executive of the SNP for more than 20 years.
In January last year Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced she and Murrell had “decided to end” their marriage.
The decision to move his court date until after the election prompted questions in parliament and claims of political motivation.
However the court has stated that there was a joint application from both sides in the case for a delay, which was granted by judge Lord Young.
It is not unusual for the defence or the prosecution to request more time – and there is a 17-month deadline for Murrell to make his next court appearance.
A spokesperson for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service said: “Scotland’s prosecutors act independently and in the public interest in all cases. COPFS understand there is significant interest in this matter which is active under the Contempt of Court Act 1981.”
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