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A senior SNP official said the party was facing its biggest crisis in 50 years amid a police investigation into its finances. Mike Russell, the SNP chairman and a former minister, also said he did not believe independence could be achieved "now". On Wednesday, former chief executive Peter Murrell was arrested by police investigating spending of around £600,000 that went towards an independence campaign.
Murrell, husband of Nicola Sturgeon, was released Wednesday night without charge pending further investigation.
Police searched his Glasgow home for more than a day, and uniformed officers also searched the SNP's Edinburgh headquarters.
In an interview with The Herald newspaper, Russell said the past few weeks had been "exhausting" for the SNP, which recently chose Humza Yousaf to succeed Sturgeon as party leader.
He said: “In my 50 years of association with the party, this is the biggest and most difficult crisis we have faced, certainly since we were in government.
"But I have an obligation to this party and to the Scottish independence movement which has been such an integral part of my life for so long."
He continued: “I don't think independence can be secured at this time; we have to work on a coordinated campaign.
“But I think it's doable. My main focus is how we can create a new movement Yes that allows for different visions but takes place in an atmosphere of mutual trust.
Russell said there would be a comprehensive review of the SNP's governance and transparency.
This was promised by Yousaf, who was sworn in as prime minister last week.
News broke on Friday that the accounting firm that audits the SNP's finances has resigned after working with the party for a decade.
Accountants Johnston Carmichael informed the party of the decision before Murrell was arrested.
The party treasurer is now looking for another auditor to comply with the rules of the Electoral Commission.
PA files
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