Nicola Sturgeon's husband Peter Murrell arrested in connection with SNP funding and finances investigation

Peter Murrell, 58, former SNP chief executive, is in custody and is being questioned by detectives.

Wednesday 5 April 2023 19:27, UK

Nicola Sturgeon's husband, Peter Murrell, has been arrested in connection with an investigation into the funding and finances of the Scottish National Party (SNP).

The former SNP chief executive is in custody and is being questioned by detectives.

Police Scotland said a 58-year-old man was arrested as part of an ongoing investigation.

Officers are also carrying out searches at a number of addresses, the force added.

A blue evidence tent has been set up outside the couple's Glasgow home - while officers have also been seen at the SNP's headquarters in Edinburgh.

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Police Scotland has been investigating the spending of about £600,000 which was earmarked for Scottish independence campaigning.

The SNP said in a statement: "Clearly it would not be appropriate to comment on any live police investigation, but the SNP have been co-operating fully with this investigation and will continue to do so.

"At its meeting on Saturday, the governing body of the SNP, the NEC, agreed to a review of governance and transparency - that will be taken forward in the coming weeks."

A spokesperson for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service said: "COPFS will continue to work with police in this ongoing investigation.

"It is standard practice that any case regarding politicians is dealt with by prosecutors without the involvement of the law officers."

It comes just a week after Humza Yousaf was legally sworn in as Scotland's sixth first minister - replacing Ms Sturgeon after her shock resignation in February.

The SNP's political opponents have called for full transparency from Mr Yousaf and Ms Sturgeon.

Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said: "This is a deeply concerning development and the Police Scotland investigation must be allowed to proceed without interference."

She added: "We need Humza Yousaf and Nicola Sturgeon to urgently state what they knew and when."

Mr Yousaf said it was a "difficult day" for the SNP following the arrest of Mr Murrell.

He said: "My reaction, as you'd imagine, much like anybody involved in the SNP, is that this is a difficult day for the party.

"But, again, I'd just reiterate and emphasise it's so important for me not to comment on a live police investigation and be seen to prejudice that in any way, shape or form."

He added: "I think there'll be concern from the public but, again, there is a live police investigation under way and we will wait to see what comes at the conclusion of that police investigation."

Asked if the investigation was the real reason Ms Sturgeon resigned, he said: "I believe her very much when she says how exhausted she was."

Ms Sturgeon was asked by Sky's political editor Beth Rigby last month whether the ongoing probe into SNP finances - and the pressure on her and her husband as a result - had played a part in her departure.

"No, it hasn't. No," the former Scottish first minister and SNP leader said.

Mr Murrell, who married Ms Sturgeon in 2010, stepped down as SNP chief executive last month during the recent leadership campaign after more than two decades in the post.

He said at the time his future had become "a distraction" from the contest to replace his wife as SNP leader and first minister following a damaging secrecy row over party membership numbers.

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Alex Salmond, leader of the pro-independence Alba party, said he was "very sad" about what is happening to his former party.

"It's a very live investigation, so I couldn't really comment on the specifics," said the former Scottish first minister on Mr Murrell's arrest.

"I led the SNP for a long time, so I'm very sad about what's happening to it, and indeed what it's become.

"We should remember the cause of independence, and the case for it has never been stronger and that's what myself and Alba are concentrating on putting forward."