Edinburgh [Scotland], April 6: Former Scottish National Party (SNP) chief executive Peter Murrell, the husband of ex-first minister Nicola Sturgeon, has been arrested in a police investigation into the SNP's finances. The former chief executive of the party was taken into custody and was questioned by detectives as police searched their house in Glasgow on Wednesday morning.
Murrell, 58, stepped down as chief executive during the recent leadership campaign. A large police tent was set up outside the couple's home, which was taped off. Officers are also at the SNP headquarters in Edinburgh, with police vans seen parked outside and uniformed officers standing inside the building. Scottish police have been investigating the spending of about £600,000 which was earmarked for Scottish independence campaigning.
First Minister Humza Yousaf, who took over from Sturgeon last week, told brodcasters: "My reaction, as you'd imagine, much like anybody involved in the SNP, is that this is a difficulty 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." Murrell has been married to Sturgeon since 2010. Sturgeon refused to answer if her decision was impacted by the investigation. Her successor said he did not believe the police probe had any bearing on her decision to resign.
Police Scotland released a statement on the arrest on Wednesday morning. It said: "A 58-year-old man has today, Wednesday April 5, been arrested as a suspect in connection with the ongoing investigation into the funding and finances of the Scottish National Party." "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.
"The matter is active for the purposes of the Contempt of Court Act 1981 and the public are therefore advised to exercise caution if discussing it on social media. As the investigation is ongoing we are unable to comment further." Outside the SNP office in the Scottish capital, officers were on guard in the entrance and others were seen entering and leaving the building. Meanwhile, the SNP's political opponents called for full transparency from Yousaf and Sturgeon.Scottish Labour leader AnasSarwar told the PA news agency: "There are big questions to be asked of both Humza Yousaf and Nicola Sturgeon, and in the fullness of time, I hope those questions are asked." Alba Party leader Alex Salmond, a former SNP leader turned party critic, said the news was "very sad." "It's a very live investigation, so I couldn't really comment on the specifics," said Salmond.
Source: Qatar Tribune