Nicola Sturgeon claims 'no prior knowledge' of ex-SNP chief husband's arrest as he is released without charge
5 April 2023, 09:43 | Updated: 6 April 2023, 00:55
Nicola Sturgeon has said she 'had no prior knowledge' of her husband's arrest as her former SNP chief partner Peter Murrell was released without charge as part of a probe into the party's funding and finances.
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Murrell, 58, spent nearly 12 hours in police custody after his arrest on Wednesday morning.
His release comes after former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon insisted she had "no prior knowledge" of police plans to arrest him before her resignation.
A spokesperson for the ex-SNP leader said: "It would not be appropriate to comment on a live police investigation.
"Nicola Sturgeon had no prior knowledge of Police Scotland's action or intentions.
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"Ms Sturgeon will fully cooperate with Police Scotland if required however at this time no such request has been made."
Mr Murrell, the political party's former chief executive, was taken into police custody on Wednesday.
LBC understands Ms Sturgeon was at home when Mr Murrell was arrested at about 7.30am, but left at about 8am, as the police presence was beefed up.
The SNP is subject to a police investigation into whether £600,000 earmarked for independence campaigning was diverted elsewhere in 2021.
Officers were seen holding shovels as they searched the back garden on Wednesday. LBC asked Police Scotland for comment on what they were looking for.
The officers examined a small shed and a storage box as a police photographer recorded their search.
A large blue tent was erected outside the home in Glasgow amid a heavy police presence as searches were being carried out. There was a further police presence with searches being carried out at the SNP HQ in Edinburgh.
Police work the site after Nicola Sturgeon's husband is arrested at home
In a statement following his arrest, 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.
"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.
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"A report will be sent to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service."
Newly-elected SNP leader Humza Yousaf, who was seen as the Sturgeon continuity candidate in the leadership campaign, said: "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."
He continued: "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."
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."
Ms Sturgeon resigned in February saying she no longer has "the stamina" to continue in the highly pressured and demanding role.
She said "in my head and in my heart" she believed this was the right time for her to quit and build a new career outside politics.
She was Scotland’s longest-serving first minister and the first woman to hold the post. She has been married to Mr Murrell since 2010.
