'Doesn't ring true!' Nicola Sturgeon's 'unconvincing' reaction to Peter Murrell's embezzlement scandal handed bleak assessment

"I was exonerated. If there had been a shred of evidence that I had been complicit in this or had known about what he was doing, then I wouldn't have been cleared. But despite being cleared, I've still spent a week with having the finger of suspicion pointed at me.

"Yes, I'm angry, but I'm also carrying a degree of hurt and I think a degree of trauma about this whole episode, which resulted in me sitting in a police station under arrest. What he has done to me, I think, will take me a very, very long time to recover from."

Reacting to the interview, Mr Rentoul was questioned by GB News host Camilla Tomniey on whether Ms Sturgeon "is the victim" in the scandal.

Mr Rentoul admitted: "Well, she's certainly trying to portray herself as that, but it's not very convincing.

John Rentoul has offered a bleak assessment of Nicola Sturgeon's BBC interview about Peter Murrell's embezzlement scandal

GB NEWS / BBC

"Because as everybody has pointed out, did she not notice the acquisition of material possessions that were filling up her kitchen? Where all these boxes went is, is one of the great mysteries."

As Camilla assured that Ms Sturgeon has "denied everything" relating to the scandal, Mr Rentoul argued that her claims "do not ring true" to him.

He told GB News: "Well, of course she does deny everything, but it doesn't ring true to me.

"It's very sad that her marriage has broken down and that she feels betrayed by Peter Murrell. But she was the person who signed off the accounts, all that time."

The former Scottish First Minister told the BBC that she now carries a 'degree of trauma' about the ordeal

PA/BBC

Mr Rentoul argued that not only is the scandal a "political issue", but also a "personal issue" for Ms Sturgeon and Mr Murrell.

He explained: "It's not just a personal issue of her relationship with her and her estranged husband, it's a political issue.

"And one where she actually had some formal legal responsibility for accounting for the SNP's money."

The former Chief Executive of the SNP admitted to stealing £400,000 of funds from the party to buy a range of luxury items, including cars, video games, and a motorhome.

Mr Rentoul told GB News that the interview 'doesn't ring true'

GB NEWS

After he pleaded guilty earlier this week, questions were raised over whether Ms Sturgeon knew about her estranged husband's actions, which happened during their 15 years of marriage.

In a statement released earlier this week, Ms Sturgeon maintained that she had "no knowledge or suspicion whatsoever" about her estranged husband's activities.

SNP leader John Swinney has also publicly apologised to donors who had their money splashed on luxury items, including cookware and pencil sharpeners.

At a press conference, he said: "I am sorry to the people who are affected. I’m quite happy to say that."