Arabic version: سترجون تدعي الخيانة بسبب اعتراف زوجها بالاختلاس

Nicola Sturgeon expressed feelings of deception and betrayal regarding her estranged husband Peter Murrell’s embezzlement of funds from the Scottish National Party (SNP). Speaking at a literary festival in Ireland, Sturgeon addressed the emotional turmoil she has faced following Murrell’s guilty plea to embezzling £400,310.65 from the SNP.

According to BBC News, Murrell admitted to the crime at the High Court in Edinburgh, where he acknowledged misappropriating funds between 12 August 2010 and 19 October 2022. Sturgeon, who has denied any knowledge of her husband’s actions, stated that she is still grappling with the reality of her marriage to someone she feels she did not truly know.

During the event, Sturgeon described the past week as the “worst week of her life,” noting that she has had to navigate the fallout from Murrell’s admissions under intense public scrutiny. She remarked, “I have been misled, I have been lied to and I have been betrayed,” adding that she would likely seek therapy to cope with the situation.

Sturgeon also reflected on her previous interactions with police during the investigation, confirming that she had been questioned but was not charged. She expressed a desire to share her side of the story once the legal proceedings have concluded.

First Minister John Swinney responded to calls for a Holyrood inquiry into the matter, stating that he was “appalled” by Murrell’s actions but did not believe an inquiry was necessary, citing a comprehensive five-year police investigation. Murrell is currently remanded in custody and faces sentencing on 23 June.