Former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has spoken publicly about the political and personal fallout from the SNP financial scandal, saying she feels as though she is “serving a sentence for a crime I did not commit.”

Her comments come days after her estranged husband, former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell, admitted embezzling more than £400,000 from party funds over a period spanning more than a decade.

Speaking during a television interview, Sturgeon rejected suggestions that she should apologize for actions committed by another individual. She stressed that accountability should rest with those responsible for wrongdoing and insisted she would not accept blame for crimes she did not commit.

The controversy has reignited scrutiny of the SNP's finances and governance, with opposition figures calling for greater transparency and a full review of party management during the period in question.

The case has also created fresh political challenges for the SNP ahead of upcoming electoral contests, with rivals seeking to capitalize on growing concerns surrounding trust, leadership, and financial oversight.

While Murrell awaits sentencing, Sturgeon's remarks signal her determination to separate her own political legacy from the criminal actions that have cast a shadow over one of Scotland's most influential political movements.

As the scandal continues to dominate headlines, questions remain about its long-term impact on the SNP, Scottish politics, and public confidence in party leadership.