Key facts
- Peter Murrell's legal aid has been withdrawn by the Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB).
- Murrell was convicted of embezzling over £400,000 from the Scottish National Party (SNP).
- Legal aid was terminated on July 28.
- A Proceeds of Crime Act hearing is scheduled for December 7.
- Murrell was jailed for more than five years in June.
Peter Murrell, the former chief executive of the Scottish National Party (SNP) and ex-husband of Nicola Sturgeon, has had his legal aid withdrawn following his conviction for embezzling over £400,000 from the party. The Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB) confirmed that Murrell is no longer receiving state-funded legal assistance. The termination of legal aid occurred on July 28, according to reports. Murrell was sentenced in June to more than five years in prison after admitting to embezzling £400,310.65 over a 12-year period while serving as the SNP's chief executive. Lord Young described the crime as a "calculated crime of dishonesty." A Proceeds of Crime Act hearing is scheduled for December 7, which will determine the confiscation of the embezzled funds. Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay criticized the use of taxpayer money for the legal defense of wealthy individuals convicted of crimes.