Former Scottish National Party chief pleads guilty to embezzling $540,000

* Ex-husband of former leader diverted cash from SNP

* Murrell ​spent money ⁠on cars and luxury goods

* Sturgeon says ​she was misled but SNP figures face scrutiny (Adds reaction from Sturgeon in paragraphs 4-5, current SNP leader paragraph 9 and ​Labour ‌opposition in 11-12)

LONDON, May 25 (Reuters) - Former Scottish National Party chief executive Peter Murrell pleaded guilty ⁠on Monday to embezzling more than £400,000 ($540,000), admitting diverting funds from the ⁠party to buy items such as ​cars, a motorhome and luxury goods.

Murrell is the former husband of ex-SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon, who suddenly resigned in 2023, shortly before she was arrested as part of the probe into the party's ​finances. She ‌was cleared of wrongdoing in March last year.

The police probe, the arrest of the SNP's longest-serving leader and the conviction of her former husband have prompted embarrassing questions for the pro-independence party which has dominated Scottish politics for nearly two decades.

After Murrell's plea, Sturgeon reiterated her innocence ​and said that she had "no knowledge or suspicion whatsoever that he was using SNP funds for personal ‌purposes."

"I am utterly appalled that he did so and cannot begin to understand why," Sturgeon said. "I was misled just as others were."

MURRELL TO ‌BE SENTENCED ON JUNE 23

In written terms of his guilty plea, Murrell admitted embezzling £400,310.65 from the SNP between 2010 and 2023, about £60,000 less than he was originally charged with. The documents showed ​he had used the funds to buy several vehicles, as well as items from luxury brands such as Estee ‌Lauder and Harrods.

Police Scotland's Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Houston said Murrell had shown "utter contempt for the high public trust placed in him" and diverted cash to "bankroll the lavish lifestyle he craved but could ⁠not afford."

Murrell ⁠was remanded in custody and will be sentenced on June 23.

Current ‌SNP leader John Swinney said Murrell's plea was "a terrible breach of trust and an overwhelming betrayal."

But Swinney and Sturgeon ​both faced scepticism ​from some former SNP members and opposition parties about how the scandal unfolded.

"Nicola ‌Sturgeon and the SNP attempted to shut down scrutiny about party finances," the Scottish Labour Party said.

"John Swinney must explain what he and the party knew, and when."

Estee Lauder Companies (the)