THE man who sparked Operation Branchform has said he is “taking legal advice” after Peter Murrell was sentenced to over 5 years in prison.
The judge, Lord Young, sentenced the former chief executive of the SNP, also the estranged husband of former first minister Nicola Sturgeon, at the High Court in Edinburgh on Tuesday morning.
It comes after Murrell pleaded guilty last month to embezzling a total of £400,310.65 over a 12-year period between August 2010 and October 2022.
He used the funds to make hundreds of extravagant purchases, including a £124,550 motorhome, cars, jewellery, luxury homewares and designer stationery.
Speaking outside the court after the sentencing, Sean Clerkin called for a “full refund” by the SNP and a public apology from Peter Murrell, Nicola Sturgeon and First Minister John Swinney.
He added that he and former SNP official David Henry are now “taking legal advice with regard to further proceedings” – specifically, three options.
“We’re looking at a possible private prosecution of Nicola Sturgeon in England or Scotland,” Clerkin said.
“We’re looking at a class action for the victims to get compensation. We will be writing to the Crown Office to demand a review of the decision taken not to prosecute Nicola Sturgeon.”
Sturgeon has continuously denied any wrongdoing or knowledge of Murrell’s embezzlement – saying she was “deceived, misled and betrayed”.
The former SNP leader said she has been “completely exonerated” after a “two-year-long, very forensic police investigation” which saw police officers search the home she and Murrell had shared.
Sturgeon was arrested and questioned as part of the police investigation into the SNP’s finances, which was known as Operation Branchform, but Police Scotland confirmed she would face no action.
A statement after the sentencing from her lawyer Aamer Anwar said: “Whilst anonymous sources have desperately tried to insinuate guilt, it is clear following a two-year gold-plated and robust investigation, Ms Sturgeon was neither charged, prosecuted nor convicted of any offence.
"Ms Sturgeon is innocent of any crime and whilst that might be a source of annoyance for some, it remains a fact that it was Mr Murrell who was charged, tried, convicted and imprisoned for his crimes today.
"Ms Sturgeon remains angry, hurt and distressed about the devastating impact of Mr Murrell’s actions on her, his family, friends and the SNP.
"Ms Sturgeon was utterly deceived and let down by her husband whom she had trusted. Why he acted as he did will always be beyond her comprehension. She is utterly appalled that he did so and will never understand why. There will be no further comment."
The court previously heard Murrell’s role enabled him to make direct transfers of cash from the party’s main bank account, which held funds from “membership fees and donations paid by party members and other donors and legacies”.
Murrell also used multiple party “charge cards”, as well as making a number of false expense claims.
He tried to dodge suspicion by giving his purchases “misleading descriptions and/or accounting codes” in the party’s finance system, to which he had direct access.
The court heard a robotic lawnmower, which was purchased by Murrell for £3070, was misdescribed as “legal fees” in the SNP’s accounting software.
A silver wine coaster worth £3500 was described as “leadership expenses”.
Murrell’s offending came to light after police began receiving complaints about potential mismanagement of the SNP’s finances in March 2021.
This led to an investigation, during which police uncovered evidence of Murrell’s embezzlement.
The case has also led to widespread calls for inquiries into Murrell’s wrongdoing.
