FORMER SNP chief executive Peter Murrell is behind bars after pleading guilty to embezzling more than £400,000 from the party.

The estranged husband of former first minister Nicola Sturgeon appeared at Edinburgh High Court yesterday morning for a preliminary hearing on charges of defrauding the SNP of £459,000 between August 2010 and October 2022.

He pleaded guilty to falsifying party accounts to the tune of £400,000, using donors’ and members’ money to buy items such as a £124,000 motor home stored on his mother’s driveway, two cars and a host of luxury household goods ranging from coffee machines to £200 Fortnum and Mason advent calendars.

Accepting the plea, judge Lord Young told Mr Murrell:  “You have pleaded guilty to a charge of embezzlement over a period of 12 years.

“As the chief executive officer of that organisation throughout that period, your actions constitute a gross breach of trust.”

He was remanded in custody until sentencing on June 23, but the political fallout has already begun.

Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said: “This bombshell plea does not put the issue to bed — far from it.

“It is inconceivable that Nicola Sturgeon knew nothing about the large-scale fraud, which she benefited from, taking place under her nose in both her party and her home.

“It was Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP party machine that attempted to close ranks and shut down scrutiny when questions about the finances started to emerge and we need to know why.

“There should be a review into why the hearing was delayed until after the election and why the public were denied the truth until the timing was more convenient for the SNP.

“The rotten culture of sleaze, scandal and secrecy in the SNP needs to end — it’s time for the truth.”

In a statement, Ms Sturgeon said: “To be clear, I had no knowledge or suspicion whatsoever that he was using SNP funds for personal purposes.

“I am utterly appalled that he did so and cannot begin to understand why.”

At a hastily called press conference, SNP First Minister John Swinney backed Ms Sturgeon, claiming that he too had “never suspected” Mr Murrell and adding that the party had been “badly, badly let down.”