The case has raised concerns about the accountability of UK politicians after a series of scandals have eroded trust in government at all levels.
LONDON (AP) — Scotland’s former first minister Nicola Sturgeon defiantly denied any blame Sunday for her husband’s embezzlement of Scottish National Party funds, saying she would not apologize for his crimes.
Sturgeon told the BBC she felt betrayed by the actions of her husband, Peter Murrell, who last week pleaded guilty to stealing more than 400,000 pounds ($540,000) from the SNP to fund a lavish lifestyle when he was the party’s chief executive.
She repeatedly denied any knowledge of his crimes.
“I am not responsible for the crimes my ex-husband committed,” she told the BBC. “I will not apologize for someone else’s crimes.”
Sturgeon’s comments came as she pushed back against widespread disbelief over her earlier claims that she knew nothing of Murrell’s crimes. The case has raised concerns about the accountability of UK politicians after a series of scandals have eroded trust in government at all levels.
Many critics have questioned why Murrell was allowed to remain SNP chief executive after Sturgeon became party leader in 2014. Sturgeon admitted this was a mistake.
“Of course, in hindsight, I wish I could go back and make a different decision,” she said.
Murrell’s plea capped a five-year police investigation into the SNP, which has led Scotland’s semi-autonomous government for almost two decades while campaigning for the country to break away from the UK.
Turmoil within the SNP erupted in 2023 as questions swirled about the party’s finances and dwindling membership.
Sturgeon led the Scottish government for almost a decade but abruptly resigned as first minister in February 2023. Observers were puzzled by her statement at the time that she knew in “my head and my heart” that the time was right to go.
The following month, Murrell quit his job after two decades as chief executive of the SNP and took responsibility for misleading the news media about the collapse of party membership. In April, police arrested him at the couple’s home in Glasgow.
Sturgeon was arrested in June 2023 and later released by police.
By DANICA KIRKA Associated Press
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