05 April 2023 , 08:53
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Nicola Sturgeon’s husband has been arrested amid a probe into the funding and finances of the Scottish National Party.
Peter Murrell, 58, was held as officers investigate funding arrangements for the nationalist party.
He is the former chief executive of the SNP and quit the role last month.
Officers said a 58-year–old man was arrested and raids have been carried out on a series of properties.
In a statement, Police Scotland said: “A 58-year-old man has today, Wednesday, 5 April 2023, been arrested as a suspect in connection with the ongoing investigation into the funding and finances of the Scottish National Party.
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Officers and police vehicles outside the home of Nicola Sturgeon and Peter Murrell (DAILY RECORD)“The man is in custody and is being questioned by Police Scotland detectives.
“Officers are also carrying out searches at a number of addresses as part of the investigation.
“A report will be sent to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.”
Pictures showed police vans parked outside the party’s headquarters in Edinburgh.
Police vehicles were also seen outside Ms Sturgeon and Mr Murrell’s home.
A white tent was erected in the garden, with police tape surrounding the property.
Officers also stood guard outside the house.
Police were spotted outside the SNP's HQ in EdinburghThe SNP said: "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."
Police Scotland have been investigating the spending of money which was earmarked for Scottish independence campaigning.
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Mr Murrell, who married Ms Sturgeon in 2010, resigned as SNP chief executive three weeks ago after taking responsibility for misleading the media about party membership numbers.
Police outside the home Ms Sturgeon shares with Mr Murrell (DAILY RECORD)Mr Murrell said he had become a distraction to the leadership race., triggered by his wife’s announcement she would quit as party chief and First Minister.
Her successor, Humza Yousaf, was installed in Bute House last week and now faces the difficult task of reviving the SNP’s morale after weeks of turmoil.
Speaking after the news broke, the new First Minister admitted the arrest of Mr Murrell was "difficult" and "challenging".
Asked when he was made aware of the arrest, Mr Yousaf said: “This morning, after the event, I think that’s really important for me to stress.
“So, of course I am following it, as much as anybody else is. But as I keep saying, the party will fully cooperate. As has already been reported for example, we know that police are at party headquarters and they will not be impeded in any way, shape or form in terms of their investigation.”
The party has been embroiled in internal rows about transgender rights, the strategy for a future independence referendum campaign and infighting during the divisive leadership campaign where Mr Yousaf eventually triumphed.
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