Aamer Anwar told the Record the former first minister’s position “is no different” after an opposition leader raised her historic use of a luxury fountain pen brand favoured by Peter Murrell.
18:20, 27 May 2026Updated 18:36, 27 May 2026
Nicola Sturgeon and Peter Murrell in 2023
A lawyer representing Nicola Sturgeon has slammed “armchair detectives” who have questioned whether she could have known about her estranged husband’s 10-year criminal spending spree.
Aamer Anwar told the Record the former first minister’s position “is no different” tonight after an opposition party leader had earlier raised her historic use in Holyrood of expensive Montblanc fountain pens – a brand Peter Murrell was later found to have spent £24,000 on, among hundreds of other items paid for with cash illegally taken from his employers.
The lawyer said: “Had there been any evidence of criminality against Ms Sturgeon, then there can be no doubt that she would have been charged, prosecuted and presently be behind bars.”
In a social media post, Russell Findlay, the Scottish Conservatives leader, had said: “We now know that Sturgeon’s husband spent £24,000 (stolen from SNP supporters) at Montblanc.
“And at least two of Sturgeon’s pens used in parliament were the same models he bought. Were they bought with stolen cash ? If so, they should be seized using proceeds of crime laws.”
In a statement, Anwar said: “Ms Sturgeon’s position is no different to that already issued in relation to Mr Murrell’s criminality and betrayal. Whether Mr Murrell was buying pepper grinders, pens or Nintendo etc etc, Ms Sturgeon was unaware of his criminal conduct.
“It would appear some ‘armchair detectives’ think they are better placed than the gold-plated investigation of Police Scotland and now wish to try Ms Sturgeon for crimes she has not committed, fortunately that is not how our justice system works.
“Had there been any evidence of criminality against Ms Sturgeon, then there can be no doubt that she would have been charged, prosecuted and presently be behind bars.
“On what happens next I would hope as leader of the Conservative Party in Scotland and a former accomplished journalist, Mr. Findlay would be aware that the Crown Office will take all necessary steps in relation to proceeds of crime and I doubt they need any advice from him or others on what to do in court.”
Sturgeon has not faced the media since her estranged husband pleaded guilty to embezzlement at the High Court in Edinburgh on Monday. The ex-SNP leader has instead issued a series of statements through her solicitor.
Anwar last night defended her reported decision to give “no comment” answers to the police during her arrest in 2023.
Sturgeon was interviewed by detectives for several hours in June that year as part of Operation Branchform, but was later told she would face no further investigation.
Anwar said the answer was standard legal advice. He rejected claims that the move hindered the investigation into SNP finances.