Latest news with #ScottishLegalAidBoard
Spectator
a day ago
- Politics
- Spectator
Taxpayer to fund legal bills of ex-SNP chief
Just when the SNP thought Operation Branchform had disappeared, the curious case into the party's funds and finances has reared its head again. Now it transpires that former SNP chief Peter Murrell – and ex-husband of Dear Leader Nicola Sturgeon – has been granted legal aid after being charged with embezzlement, meaning the taxpayer will, um, fund his legal bills. Good heavens… As reported by the Daily Record, the onetime chief executive of the Scottish National party had his application for solemn legal aid approved by the Scottish Legal Aid Board. The 60-year-old will receive support which is usually granted to those who cannot afford to pay for legal help themselves – however in some cases they still need to make their own contribution. In a statement, the Scottish Legal Aid Board admitted that Murrell's lawyers had made a successful case for their client – who made no plea when he appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court in March before being granted bail – and remarked: When assessing an applicant's eligibility for legal aid we look at their financial position at the time of their application. This includes information they give us about their salary, the amount of money they have in the bank and any investments, which might be available to fund their own defence privately. Peter Murrell's application met the tests we have to apply when deciding whether to grant legal aid. The probe into the SNP's finances started in March 2021 after a complaint was made by Sean Clerkin about a 'missing' sum of £600,000 fundraised for a second independence referendum campaign. Murrell was taken into police custody for the second time on 18 April 2024 as part of the police probe into SNP finances – and charged with embezzling funds from his own party. Sturgeon and former party treasurer Colin Beattie – who is standing in the 2026 Holyrood election to the surprise of just about everyone – are no longer being probed by the police. Whatever will come of Murrell's charge? Stay tuned…
The National
a day ago
- Business
- The National
Former SNP chief Peter Murrell granted legal aid in embezzlement case
Murrell, who faces a charge of embezzlement, has had an application for solemn legal aid approved by the Scottish Legal Aid Board. Legal aid is usually granted to those who cannot afford to pay for legal help themselves, though in some cases they still need to make their own contribution. According to the Scottish Legal Aid Board website: "Financial eligibility is just one of the tests for legal assistance. So even if you qualify financially there are additional tests which your case will need to satisfy." READ MORE: Inside the SNP's political strategy ahead of 2026 Scottish election The Scottish Legal Aid Board said no payments have been made so far, following a successful application for solemn legal aid by Murrell's lawyers on April 30. A spokesperson said: 'When assessing an applicant's eligibility for legal aid we look at their financial position at the time of their application to ensure they meet tests set by legal aid legislation. 'This includes information they give us about their salary, the amount of money they have in the bank and any investments, which might be available to fund their own defence privately. 'Peter Murrell's application met the tests we have to apply when deciding whether to grant legal aid.' READ MORE: Scots back independence as Keir Starmer's popularity at record low, new poll finds Murrell, 60, was first arrested in April 2023 as part of the police investigation into the SNP's finances. He appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court in March this year where he faced a charge of embezzlement, making no plea. Until he stood down in 2023 during the leadership race to succeed Sturgeon, Murrell had been chief executive of the SNP for more than 20 years. Earlier this year Sturgeon announced she and Murrell had 'decided to end' their marriage.
BBC News
a day ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Peter Murrell granted legal aid over embezzlement charge
Former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell has been granted legal aid after being charged with embezzlement. Mr Murrell, the husband of former first minister Nicola Sturgeon, was charged in April of last year in a police investigation into SNP 60-year-old had an application for solemn legal aid approved by the Scottish Legal Aid Murrell made no plea when he appeared at at Edinburgh Sheriff Court in March and was granted bail. Legal aid is typically granted to people who cannot afford to pay for legal help themselves, though in some cases they still need to make their own contribution. The Scottish Legal Aid Board said Mr Murrell's lawyers made a successful application for support on 30 April, but no payments had yet been issued.A spokesperson said: "When assessing an applicant's eligibility for legal aid we look at their financial position at the time of their application. "This includes information they give us about their salary, the amount of money they have in the bank and any investments, which might be available to fund their own defence privately."Peter Murrell's application met the tests we have to apply when deciding whether to grant legal aid." Mr Murrell was chief executive of the SNP for more than 20 years until he stood down in 2023 during the party leadership race to succeed came after the home they shared was searched by police looking into what happened to £660,000 of donations given to the was part of an investigation, called Operation Branchform, that lasted almost four Murrell was charged in April last year then appeared in court in March, police also confirmed that Sturgeon and former SNP treasurer Colin Beattie were no longer under investigation in the the time, Sturgeon said: "I don't think there was ever a scrap of evidence that I had done anything wrong."In January this year, the former first minister announced she and Murrell had "decided to end" their marriage.
The Independent
a day ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Peter Murrell: Nicola Sturgeon's estranged husband granted legal aid following embezzlement charge
Peter Murrell, the former SNP chief executive who is Nicola Sturgeon 's estranged husband, has been granted legal aid. Murrell, who faces a charge of embezzlement, has had an application for solemn legal aid approved by the Scottish Legal Aid Board. The 60-year-old was first arrested in April 2023 as part of the police investigation into the SNP's finances. He appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court in March this year 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. The Scottish Legal Aid Board said no payments have been made so far, following a successful application for solemn legal aid by Murrell's lawyers on April 30. A spokesperson said: 'When assessing an applicant's eligibility for legal aid we look at their financial position at the time of their application to ensure they meet tests set by legal aid legislation. 'This includes information they give us about their salary, the amount of money they have in the bank and any investments, which might be available to fund their own defence privately. 'Peter Murrell's application met the tests we have to apply when deciding whether to grant legal aid.' Legal aid is usually granted to those who cannot afford to pay for legal help themselves, though in some cases they still need to make their own contribution. Earlier this year Ms Sturgeon announced she and Murrell had 'decided to end' their marriage.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ex-SNP chief Peter Murrell granted legal aid following embezzlement charge
Peter Murrell, the former SNP chief executive who is Nicola Sturgeon's estranged husband, has been granted legal aid. Murrell, who faces a charge of embezzlement, has had an application for solemn legal aid approved by the Scottish Legal Aid Board. The 60-year-old was first arrested in April 2023 as part of the police investigation into the SNP's finances. He appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court in March this year 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. The Scottish Legal Aid Board said no payments have been made so far, following a successful application for solemn legal aid by Murrell's lawyers on April 30. A spokesperson said: 'When assessing an applicant's eligibility for legal aid we look at their financial position at the time of their application to ensure they meet tests set by legal aid legislation. 'This includes information they give us about their salary, the amount of money they have in the bank and any investments, which might be available to fund their own defence privately. 'Peter Murrell's application met the tests we have to apply when deciding whether to grant legal aid.' Legal aid is usually granted to those who cannot afford to pay for legal help themselves, though in some cases they still need to make their own contribution. Earlier this year Ms Sturgeon announced she and Murrell had 'decided to end' their marriage.
