NADIRA Murray, the wife of Craig Murray, has issued an emotional appeal to judge Lady Dorrian saying that sending her husband to prison would be a “death sentence”.

The former ambassador is today facing an eight month jail sentence for contempt of court in connection with the Alex Salmond trial.

Lady Dorrian, Scotland’s second most senior judge as Lord Justice Clerk, and two other judges will hear Murray’s lawyer, Roddy Dunlop QC, seek leave to appeal to the UK Supreme Court over his conviction for contempt.

Lady Dorrian ruled that items in his blog had breached a court order banning identification of the women complainers in the Salmond case. The former First Minister was acquitted on all charges last year. If the appeal is upheld, Murray could stay free until the Supreme Court meets. If not, he will most likely be committed to prison on Wednesday.

READ MORE: Anger at Craig Murray's eight-month sentence for Alex Salmond trial reports

Murray has denied identifying any of the women, and his wife has now written an open letter, carried on Murray’s blog.

Nadira Murray wrote: “I understand and fully support your decision of protecting sexual assault victims, however I do not feel Craig has been judged fairly. Craig even wouldn’t tell me the women’s names or identities, or ever foul-mouth them during the trial when I asked about it.

“I have been living with Craig for almost two decades now, and I know him as a gentle soul, a helpful human being, a kind partner and a loving dad to his four children.

“Him being under my watch (as his doctors stated his conditions are pulmonary hypertension, APS and atrial fibrillation, among other illnesses) I worry his health is not suitable for the prison which you ignored and took away his basic human rights. Prison hospitals are not suitable for his type of serious illness!

“I believe you are sending him to a deliberate death sentence knowing and ignoring his health conditions. I urge you to reconsider the sentence and allow Craig to be at home with his children who need him.”