FORMER SNP chief executive Peter Murrell has been granted legal aid as he defends charges of embezzlement.

Mr Murrell was first arrested in April 2023 as part of a Police Scotland investigation into SNP finances, alongside his now estranged wife — former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon — and former party treasurer Colin Beattie.

While they were both released without charge, Mr Murrell, who served as SNP chief executive for more than two decades, appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court in March this year to face a charge of embezzlement. He made no plea.

Confirming that a successful application for assistance, a spokesperson for the Scottish Legal Aid Board said: “When assessing an applicant’s eligibility for legal aid, we look at their financial position at the time of their application to ensure they meet tests set by legal aid legislation.

“This includes information they give us about their salary, the amount of money they have in the bank and any investments, which might be available to fund their own defence privately.

“Peter Murrell’s application met the tests we have to apply when deciding whether to grant legal aid.”