Defence lawyers reveal why Peter Murrell lost his legal aid ahead of December Proceeds of Crime hearing

From the Newshound archive · first published 1 October 2026.

Legal experts specialising in defence work have shed light on why Peter Murrell lost his legal aid entitlement, after the Scottish Legal Aid Board confirmed it terminated his funding on July 28. SLAB stated that the former SNP chief executive is no longer receiving its assistance, with lawyers pointing to a change in his financial circumstances as the probable cause. A Proceeds of Crime Act hearing set for December 7 raises the stakes over which assets the state may look to recover.

Murrell was jailed for embezzling more than £400,000 from the SNP, of which he was formerly chief executive.

The Scottish Legal Aid Board confirmed it was in contact with Murrell's lawyers about his circumstances before withdrawing support.

Nicola Sturgeon's former husband now faces the December hearing without publicly funded legal representation.