Nicola Sturgeon defends herself following Peter Murrell case

Police Scotland and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) released more than 50 images detailing items purchased by Murrell, including the Niesmann+Bischoff campervan over the 12-year period.

It shows the motorhome parked at the side of Murrell’s elderly mother’s home in Dunfermline. The images, screenshotted from Google Images, is from April 2009. The motorhome was placed there in early 2021. An old caravan can be seen to the far right hand side of the image.

Murrell and Ms Sturgeon married in 2010, months before his crimes commenced but she announced their separation last year.

The statement said: “Ms Sturgeon finds it disgraceful and beyond outrageous that she is being asked to comment on so called ‘background’ briefings by the Police/Crown.

"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."

Mr Anwar has condemned the joint police and Crown briefing; however, these are standard in high profile cases.

The view of Murrell's mother in laws driveway provided by Sturgeon's lawyers. (Image: Supplied)

During that briefing, information came to light that Police Scotland investigators had additional questions for Ms Sturgeon after she gave a written statement – she was arrested in June 2023 as part of Operation Branchform, but no charges were brought against her.

A report was submitted to the Crown on Mr Murrell and former party treasurer Colin Beattie for “advice and guidance”.

Documents seen by The Herald state: “On 9 August 2024, police submitted a request for advice and guidance concerning Nicola Sturgeon and Colin Beattie. This was not a report seeking the consideration of prosecution.

“Police did not charge and sought the Crown’s view on the evidence and whether there were further enquiries necessary.”

A 542-page report was later submitted, with Crown Counsel concluding neither individual should be charged and that there should be “no further inquiries”.

In March 2025, shortly after Murrell appeared in court, it was confirmed that no further action would be taken against Ms Sturgeon.

Speaking outside her Glasgow home, she said she was “completely in the clear” and insisted there had never been “a scrap of evidence” of wrongdoing.

She said: “I have done nothing wrong, and I don’t think there was ever a scrap of evidence that I had done anything wrong.”

Although investigators believed some questions remained unanswered in her written statement, no further clarification was sought once prosecutors ruled the evidential threshold had not been met.

Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay said: "It’s perfectly understandable why people are continuing to question Nicola Sturgeon’s version of events.

“Her claim that she didn’t notice her husband’s massive stolen campervan is extraordinary.

“And further doubt has now been cast on her claim that she fully co-operated with the police.

“Issuing increasingly hostile statements to the media in response to legitimate media reporting is not helping her case or her credibility.”