Former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was seen enjoying a relaxed outdoor lunch in London's Notting Hill, days after her husband, Peter Murrell, was sentenced to five years in prison for embezzling over £400,000 from the Scottish National Party (SNP).

Sturgeon, who is reportedly filing for divorce from Murrell, met with human rights lawyer Claire Mitchell KC at Golborne Bistro. The pair were observed having an animated conversation and appeared to be in good spirits despite the recent turmoil. Sturgeon, who has moved to England, was dressed casually and seen smiling during the meal.

Murrell, the former chief executive of the SNP, pleaded guilty to embezzling more than £400,000 from the party over a 12-year period. The funds were used to purchase items including a motorhome, cars, jewelry, and luxury goods, some of which were gifted to Sturgeon. He is currently serving his sentence at HMP Dumfries.

Sturgeon was arrested in connection with Operation Branchform, the investigation into the misappropriated party funds, after stepping down as First Minister in 2023. However, she has not been charged. She has consistently denied any knowledge of her husband's criminal activities. Despite her denials, questions persist regarding her role and her statement to the police. Detectives reportedly expressed frustration with some of her responses, particularly her claim of having no conscious memory of a £124,000 motorhome purchased with stolen funds.

Calls for Sturgeon to release her full written statement to the police have been made by figures such as Scottish Conservative deputy leader Rachael Hamilton. Hamilton stated that Sturgeon should release the statement immediately to avoid fueling suspicion and innuendo. She also suggested that a parliamentary inquiry into the scandal would address issues such as what Sturgeon knew, what she told the police, and why she was not charged.

Joanna Cherry KC, another prominent figure, has accused the former SNP leadership of hostility towards those who questioned party finances and governance. She argued that Murrell could not have continued his actions for so long without such an environment and called for an independent inquiry.

Three former members of the SNP's finance and audit committee, who resigned in March 2021 due to concerns about the party's financial health, also expressed that their concerns were not adequately addressed. During a National Executive Committee meeting, Sturgeon had stated that the party's finances were robust.

Lawyers for Sturgeon have asserted her innocence, stating that she has not been charged, prosecuted, or convicted of any crime and that Murrell is the one who was convicted and imprisoned. Police Scotland and the Crown Office have indicated no objection to Sturgeon publishing her written statement. SNP leader John Swinney has rejected calls for a parliamentary inquiry, asserting that the case has reached a clear criminal justice conclusion.