Peter Murrell

The majority of the SNP's national executive committee are prepared to support a motion of no confidence, the BBC understands.

One source on the committee told the BBC: "Peter's time has come. A third member of the committee indicated that the situation was moving fast and that there could be developments later in the day. A second member of the committee said there were no circumstances in which Mr Murrell could continue as party chief executive.

The chief executive of the Scottish National Party, who is married to Nicola Sturgeon, has resigned with immediate effect in the face of a no confidence ...

"While there was no intent to mislead, I accept that this has been the outcome. he shouldn't have thrown a junior member of staff under the bus". "I agree with Peter that it is time for him to move on and make way for a new leader to appoint a new chief executive as passionate about the SNP and the cause of independence as he has been. Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said: "This latest resignation of a top SNP figure goes to show that the wheels have fallen off the SNP wagon." "With less than 10 days to go in this leadership contest, it is vital we all focus on the policies and vision we have for the party, movement and country." Ms Regan said: "Eight years ago was the point where it was unacceptable to have the husband of the party leader as the CEO. "I am encouraged to see the democratic foundations of the party now asserting their rightful function." [a "conflict of interest"](https://news.sky.com/story/snp-leadership-contender-ash-regan-says-conflict-of-interest-over-nicola-sturgeons-husband-in-contest-12832079) over his involvement in the race to choose his wife's successor, with concerns raised over the integrity of the election. She added: "Peter's been a key part of the electoral success we have achieved in recent years and I know there will be a recognition of that across the party." [demands by the candidates themselves](https://news.sky.com/story/snp-leadership-candidates-pile-pressure-on-the-party-over-lack-of-transparency-in-ballot-12834670), the party was [ forced to confirm the significant fall in paid-up support](http://news.sky.com/story/snp-has-lost-around-30-000-party-members-since-2021-12835441). [dramatic departure](https://news.sky.com/story/crisis-departure-signals-reset-of-snp-machine-and-end-of-power-couples-grip-12836925) following more than two decades in the post comes after the party's [head of communications quit](https://news.sky.com/story/snp-communications-head-resigns-after-serious-issues-with-information-provided-by-party-hq-12836631) on Friday in the wake of revelations he inadvertently provided bogus membership numbers to a journalist. The chief executive of the Scottish National Party has resigned with immediate effect in the face of a no confidence vote.

Peter Murrell, the husband of Nicola Sturgeon, confirms he has resigned from the role with immediate effect.

"If this is what is happening in the party, just imagine the chaos in government." When Scotland most needs responsible governance, the SNP has turned inward and begun to tear itself apart. Our election wins from 2007 to 2021 owe much to his political abilities. "As I have said repeatedly throughout this campaign, he is the most electorally successful chief executive of any party in the UK and the SNP has been lucky to have him. Questions have mounted over a loan of more than £100,000 that Mr Murrell gave to the party in June 2021 to help it out with a "cash flow" issue after the last election. "I've said repeatedly from the beginning of this contest that I think there's an appetite for fresh faces and that will hopefully pave the way for new people in headquarters to be able to run the SNP in a way that maintains the trust of SNP members and supports the SNP in government." "With less than 10 days to go in this leadership contest, it is vital we all focus on the policies and vision we have for the party, movement and country," he said. He said he had not planned to step down until after the leadership contest but recognised that he had become "a distraction from the campaign". SNP leadership candidate Kate Forbes said: "I think that the party owes Peter Murrell a great debt of gratitude because he oversaw the party's expansion in membership and he's been the reason we won so many elections with his leadership at the top. "Peter has been a key part of the electoral success we have achieved in recent years and I know there will be a recognition of that across the party." Mr Murrell, 58, has been a hugely influential figure in the party - where he has been chief executive since 1999 and is responsible for the day-to-day running of the SNP. He had been set to face a vote of no confidence had he not stepped down, the BBC has been told.

SNP chief executive Peter Murrell's resignation means he joins a growing list of departing Nats including his wife Nicola Sturgeon and her long-serving ...

While Scots struggle to get by, the SNP are fighting like ferrets in a sack." "When Scotland most needs responsible governance, the SNP has turned inward and begun to tear itself apart. "This ongoing SNP civil war is disastrous for the whole of Scotland. Peter Murrell's resignation is long overdue – but there remain serious questions for him to answer, not least over the 'missing' £600k from party accounts. Pamela Nash, chief executive of Scotland in Union, said: "The party of government is imploding, guilty of cover-up and lying to the Scottish people. [Jackie Baillie](https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/jackie-baillie-says-snp-must-29386771) said: "This latest resignation of a top SNP figure goes to show that the wheels have fallen off the SNP wagon.

The power couple - Nicola Sturgeon is the outgoing FM of Scotland and Peter Murrell was chief executive of the SNP. By Deirdre Kelly. BBC Scotland. Peter Murrell was a constant in the hierarchy of the Scottish National Party for more than two decades.

Some commentators said it would be inevitable that Mr Murrell would also have to go but his departure has happened before his wife's. He's not one of those guys who would feel threatened by it. Despite this discomfort she continued to lead the country and he continued to be in charge of the party machine. What led the chief executive to go was linked to a row about party membership and who would be voting in this election. Mr Murrell was back in the media spotlight in December last year when it was confirmed he had given a loan of £107,620 to the SNP to help it out with a "cash flow" issues. The SNP had repaid about half of the money by October of that year and the party's official line was that the loan was a "personal contribution made by the chief executive to assist with cash flow after the Holyrood election". [Ms Sturgeon told the Sunday Times](https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/whos-that-bloke-peter-murrell-is-nicola-sturgeons-husband-and-her-big-problem-lb2z6l6j3): "One of the things I value is that he's happy with me having the public role... That spark is always there. Politics played its part in bringing these two together. [Mr Murrell contradicted himself](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-55217649), and Ms Sturgeon, over some of the details he gave in evidence. He had already been SNP chief for 11 years and she was deputy first minister in charge of the health brief for the Scottish government, led by Alex Salmond. He became chief executive as the sun was setting on the last century and as the dawn was rising on the new chapter of devolution.

It comes as reports suggested Nicola Sturgeon's husband was faced with a vote of no confidence from party members.

“I did it, for my party and for the people of this country. She continued: “I love the SNP, and I am passionate about Scotland’s future as an independent, fair and wealthy nation. Fourteen national election wins is testament to the skills of the dedicated and talented HQ team that I have been privileged to lead. If anyone was in any doubt that this needs to be a change election for the SNP, recent events and resignations confirm the core message of my campaign: continuity won’t cut it.” The election contest is being run by the National Secretary and I have had no role in it at any point. I had not planned to confirm this decision until after the leadership election.

Outgoing leader's spouse stands down 'with immediate effect' after being warned that he would be ousted if he did not quit.

“While there was no intent to mislead, I accept that this has been the outcome. “I had not planned to confirm this decision until after the leadership election. “SNP headquarters have lied to the public, the press and to our own members. The head of communications has resigned and the chief executive has been forced out not by the media, but the party’s own ruling committee. [Ms Regan’s campaign](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2023/02/24/snps-ash-regan-threatens-declare-scottish-independence-without/) has already floated the prospect of a legal challenge to have the contest halted. The true membership figure was published on Thursday, three days after voting opened and once a programme of hustings and live TV debates had finished. Michael Russell, the SNP president, will replace Mr Murrell on an interim basis. Lorna Finn [the SNP’s national secretary] could reissue ballots on Monday morning and we wouldn’t even need to extend the deadline.” There have repeatedly been claims that under Mr Murrell’s leadership, the party machine has been working to elect Humza Yousaf, the [self-declared “continuity candidate](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2023/03/14/kate-forbes-humza-yousaf-clash-snp-leadership-debate/)” who has vowed to protect Ms Sturgeon’s legacy. [one of the three contenders vying for the leadership](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/02/27/ash-regan-snps-last-gasp-self-destruct-candidate/), demanded that existing ballot papers are discarded and the contest restarted, in light of the turmoil. [The leadership election](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/03/16/snp-leadership-race-has-descended-farce/) has been overseen entirely by the National Secretary Lorna Finn who is responsible for all party elections, not the chief executive, and as a result these changes have no impact on the operation of the leadership contest. “The ballot needs to be rerun,” a source close to Ms Regan said.

The chief executive of the SNP for the past 24 years has resigned, What do we know about him?

Some commentators said it would be inevitable that Mr Murrell would also have to go but his departure has happened before his wife's. He's not one of those guys who would feel threatened by it. Despite this discomfort she continued to lead the country and he continued to be in charge of the party machine. What led the chief executive to go was linked to a row about party membership and who would be voting in this election. Mr Murrell was back in the media spotlight in December last year when it was confirmed he had given a loan of £107,620 to the SNP to help it out with a "cash flow" issues. The SNP had repaid about half of the money by October of that year and the party's official line was that the loan was a "personal contribution made by the chief executive to assist with cash flow after the Holyrood election". [Ms Sturgeon told the Sunday Times](https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/whos-that-bloke-peter-murrell-is-nicola-sturgeons-husband-and-her-big-problem-lb2z6l6j3): "One of the things I value is that he's happy with me having the public role... That spark is always there. Politics played its part in bringing these two together. [Mr Murrell contradicted himself](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-55217649), and Ms Sturgeon, over some of the details he gave in evidence. He had already been SNP chief for 11 years and she was deputy first minister in charge of the health brief for the Scottish government, led by Alex Salmond. He became chief executive as the sun was setting on the last century and as the dawn was rising on the new chapter of devolution.

Mr Murrell married Ms Sturgeon, then SNP depute leader and Scottish deputy first minister, in 2010, with Mr Salmond, the then first minister, among the guests.

Mr Murrell meanwhile loaned the party £107,620 in June 2021 to help with cash flow in the wake of the most recent Scottish Parliament elections with reports last year suggesting about half of this cash had been repaid by October 2021. Mr Murrell married Ms Sturgeon, then SNP depute leader and Scottish deputy first minister, in 2010, with Mr Salmond, the then first minister, among the guests. Before that Mr Murrell had worked in the constituency office of former SNP leader Alex Salmond.

Earlier, SNP leadership candidate Kate Forbes had acknowledged “extraordinary turmoil” in the party. Mr Murrell has been the party's chief executive for more ...

“I did it, for my party and for the people of this country. That is the mark of who I am. “While there was no intent to mislead, I accept that this has been the outcome. There’s not a hope in hell that Peter can survive a no confidence motion.” “They give their all to the party and the independence cause and I thank them for it. “I am very proud of what has been achieved in my time as chief executive and of the part I have played in securing the electoral success the party has enjoyed over almost two decades.

Before that Mr Murrell had worked in the constituency office of former SNP leader Alex Salmond. Mr Murrell married Ms Sturgeon, then SNP depute leader and ...

Mr Murrell meanwhile loaned the party £107,620 in June 2021 to help with cash flow in the wake of the most recent Scottish Parliament elections with reports last year suggesting about half of this cash had been repaid by October 2021. Mr Murrell married Ms Sturgeon, then SNP depute leader and Scottish deputy first minister, in 2010, with Mr Salmond, the then first minister, among the guests. Before that Mr Murrell had worked in the constituency office of former SNP leader Alex Salmond.

FOR almost a decade Peter Murrell and Nicola Sturgeon have been the husband and wife team in charge of the SNP.

[Court](/news/crime_courts/) of Session ruled that the investigation was unfair and tainted by apparent bias. So [Crown Prosecution Service] action would be a good thing.” The Mr Murrell rejected Salmond’s claims the texts proved a conspiracy but, in his evidence session acknowledged the language was inappropriate and “out of character.” He said: “To me, that suggests just how upset I was at the time.” During her evidence to the committee Ms Sturgeon said the plot claim was “bizarre”. And with Mr Murrell and Ms Sturgeon at the helm, the SNP has cemented its electoral dominance, having been in power at Holyrood since 2007 and won every election north of the border since then. Mr Murrell married Ms Sturgeon, then SNP depute leader and deputy first minister, in 2010, with Mr Salmond, the then first minister, among the guests.