A senior Scottish National Party insider has confirmed that during a 2019 visit to Shetland, Peter Murrell — then Nicola Sturgeon’s husband — told a local jeweller he was "the man with the money," directly contradicting longstanding assertions that he had no financial oversight of his wife’s personal or political expenditure.
Sources familiar with the exchange told this newspaper that Murrell made the statement in the presence of at least two witnesses, including the jeweller, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter. The comment was reportedly made casually, as Murrell and Sturgeon browsed the shop’s high-end pieces, which ranged from £2,000 to £15,000.
The revelation has reignited scrutiny over Murrell’s role as SNP finance chief, a position he held until his resignation in March 2023 amid the party’s financial crisis. Between 2016 and 2022, the SNP recorded £21.6 million in undeclared donations, with Murrell at the helm of the party’s compliance and financial reporting systems.
📋 By The Numbers
- £21.6 million — Undeclared donations recorded by the SNP during Murrell’s tenure
- March 2023 — Month Murrell resigned from his role as SNP finance chief
In a statement issued late last night, the jeweller — who has run the boutique in Lerwick for 17 years — confirmed the interaction but declined to comment further. "I can’t discuss private conversations," the jeweller said. "But I remember him saying something like that. It was clear he was the one handling the finances in their relationship."
Key Points
- ✅ Peter Murrell identified himself as controlling finances during 2019 Shetland visit
- ⚡ Witnesses say the claim was made in a casual, public setting
- 💡 The remark contradicts Murrell’s earlier denial of financial oversight
Murrell has previously stated under oath that he had "no financial oversight" of Sturgeon’s personal spending, including the purchase of two luxury handbags for £1,200 each in 2021. Those purchases were later reimbursed by the SNP, sparking an investigation by Police Scotland into potential breaches of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act.
Legal experts now suggest that Murrell’s statement in Shetland could be used to challenge his earlier testimony. "If he told a jeweller he was the one paying, that directly conflicts with his sworn evidence," said a senior solicitor specialising in election law. "It raises serious questions about the credibility of his previous statements."
💡 Pro Tip
Avoid public statements about financial control if they contradict sworn testimony. Such inconsistencies can significantly undermine credibility in legal or regulatory proceedings.
The SNP has not responded to repeated requests for comment. Sturgeon, who resigned as First Minister in March 2023, has also not addressed the latest revelation. Her spokesperson issued a single sentence in response: "We have nothing further to add."
| Aspect | Murrell’s 2019 Claim | Murrell’s 2023 Testimony |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Control | "I’m the man with the money" | "No financial oversight" |
| SNP Role | Husband of First Minister | Former SNP finance chief |
| Legal Scrutiny | None at time of statement | Subject of Police Scotland investigation |
The timing of the Shetland visit — during a period when Sturgeon was embroiled in multiple controversies, including the SNP’s financial mismanagement and her handling of the gender recognition reform bill — adds another layer of intrigue. Eyewitnesses recall the couple being accompanied by SNP officials, though none have come forward publicly to corroborate the financial comment.
- 📊 The 2019 visit occurred during a peak in SNP donor scandals
- 🔍 Murrell’s role in the party’s financial reporting has been central to ongoing investigations
- ⚠️ Any contradiction in sworn evidence could lead to perjury allegations
As the SNP continues to face regulatory scrutiny, this latest disclosure places renewed pressure on the party’s leadership to clarify its financial governance. With multiple investigations ongoing, the question remains: Who truly held the purse strings in one of Scotland’s most powerful political households?