Peter Murrell court date moved to after May Holyrood election
Murrell will next appear in court in May
The next court appearance for former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell has been moved to a date after the Holyrood election.
The 61-year-old, who is accused of embezzling funds from the SNP, had been expected to appear at the High Court in Glasgow for a preliminary hearing on February 20.
The hearing has now been moved to May 25 2026 at the High Court in Edinburgh, the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service confirmed.
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, Ms Sturgeon announced she and Murrell had “decided to end” their marriage.
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.
“The provisions of this Act protect the integrity of proceedings, preserve access to justice for victims and secure the rights of people accused of crime.
“A decision to adjourn a hearing to another date is a routine procedural matter. It does not represent a development in the case.
“Anyone publishing items about active cases is advised to exercise caution as material must not be commentary or analysis of evidence, witnesses or accused. Contempt of Court carries penalties of up to two years in prison and/or an unlimited fine.
“The Lord Advocate and Solicitor General were not involved in decisions on this case.”