Description
Nicola Sturgeon's husband, Peter Murrell, has been released without charge as police continue their investigation into the SNP's finances. Murrell, who married the former prime minister in 2010, resigned as SNP chief executive last month following controversy over misleading information provided to journalists about the party's membership. The 58-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday morning amid a lengthy Police Scotland investigation into the spending of around £600,000 that went towards the Scottish independence campaign.
But he was released that same night "pending further investigation."
A Police Scotland spokesman said on Wednesday: "A 58-year-old man who was arrested as a suspect today in connection with the ongoing investigation into the funding and finances of the Scottish National Party, has been released without charge pending trial. further investigation." .
"The man was questioned by Police Scotland detectives following his arrest at 7:45am. He was released at 6:57pm."
“Officers also conducted searches today at various addresses as part of the investigation.
“A report will be sent to the Crown Office and the Solicitor Fiscal Service.
"The case remains active for the purposes of the Contempt of Court Act 1981 and therefore the public is urged to exercise caution if discussed on social media.
"As the investigation is ongoing, we cannot comment further."
The update came after a spokesperson for Ms Sturgeon said she would "fully cooperate if necessary" with police following her husband's arrest.
Ms Sturgeon, who unexpectedly announced her resignation as Prime Minister on February 15, stressed that she had "no prior knowledge of Police Scotland's actions or intentions."
In a statement, a spokesperson for Ms Sturgeon said: "It would not be appropriate to comment on a live police investigation.
"Nicola Sturgeon had no prior knowledge of Police Scotland's actions or intentions.
"Ms Sturgeon will fully cooperate with Police Scotland if required, but no such request has been made at this time."
It comes after a blue tent was put up on the front lawn of the Glasgow home belonging to Ms Sturgeon and Mr Murrell early Wednesday morning as police searched the area.
On Wednesday afternoon, officers were seen in the backyard, one with two shovels, though it's unclear why they had the tools.
Prime Minister Humza Yousaf, who took over from Sturgeon last week, said the arrest marked a "difficult day" for the party.
He told broadcasters on Wednesday: “My reaction, as you can imagine, like anyone involved in the SNP, is that this is a hardship for the party.
"But again, I would like to reiterate and emphasize that it is very important for me not to comment on a live police investigation and be seen as prejudicial to it in any way."
He added: "I think the public will be concerned but, again, there is a police investigation going on and we will wait and see what happens at the end of that police investigation."
When Ms Sturgeon announced her resignation in February, she said it was not due to short-term pressure, but that she knew in her "head and heart" that the time was right to leave.
At her press conference at Bute House, she was asked if she expected to be interviewed as part of the party's financial inquiry and she said no.
In the midst of the SNP leadership race to choose his successor, Mr Murrell announced he was stepping down from the post he had held for more than 20 years.
It came amid a dispute over the party's membership, which had been reduced by around 30,000 last year, which the party had previously denied.
It emerged in December that Murrell loaned £100,000 to the SNP in June 2021, but the party said it was to help solve a "cash flow" problem after that year's election.
Ms Sturgeon said at the time: 'The resources she lent to the party were resources that belonged to her.
PA wire
Access
