LAST UPDATE | 5 Apr 2023
FORMER SCOTTISH FIRST Minister Nicola Sturgeon will “fully co-operate if required” with police after her husband was arrested and then released without charge as part of an investigation into the SNP’s finances, her spokesperson said.
Sturgeon said she had “no prior knowledge of Police Scotland’s action or intentions” after Peter Murrell was arrested and later released “pending further investigation” on Wednesday.
The arrest related to a long-running police investigation into the spending of about £600,000 (€685,000)which was earmarked for Scottish independence campaigning.
Murrell, Sturgeon’s husband since 2010, stepped down as the SNP’s chief executive last month following a controversy about misleading information being given to journalists over the party’s membership numbers.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Sturgeon 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.
“Ms Sturgeon will fully co-operate with Police Scotland if required, however at this time no such request has been made.”
This evening, a Police Scotland spokesperson said Murrell had been released without charge.
“A 58-year-old man who was arrested as a suspect earlier today in connection with the ongoing investigation into the funding and finances of the Scottish National Party, has been released without charge pending further investigation.”
“The man was questioned by Police Scotland detectives after he was arrested at 7.45am. He was released from custody at 6.57pm.”
“Officers also carried out searches today 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 remains 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.”
The SNP released a statement saying: “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.”
Outside the SNP office in the Scottish capital earlier today, officers were on guard in the entrance and others were seen entering and leaving the building.
There were four police vans and about five unmarked police cars outside the building in Jackson’s Entry, where the party headquarters is on the third floor.
First Minister Humza Yousaf, who took over from Sturgeon last week, earlier described the arrest as a “difficult day” with the party.
Meanwhile, the SNP’s political opponents called for full transparency from Yousaf and Sturgeon.
Scottish Labour’s deputy leader Jackie Baillie said: “This is a deeply concerning development and the Police Scotland investigation must be allowed to proceed without interference.”
She continued: “We need Humza Yousaf and Nicola Sturgeon to urgently state what they knew and when.”
Yousaf has said he only became aware of the arrest of Murrell after it took place.
The new SNP leader said he would not criticise the timing of the police investigation.
He told the PA news agency: “I won’t comment on a live police investigation.
“Of course, as party leader, I will know the financial state and health of the party.
“As I’ve already made clear, one of the first things I did was talking to our party lawyers around about the current live police investigation.
“I’ve never been an office bearer in the party, I’ve not had a role in the party finances.”
He added: “There’s an opportunity with new leadership to make sure we’re being transparent.”
He said the party’s national executive committee had agreed to a review of governance and transparency.
Asked if the arrest would hurt the SNP in the polls or at a potential by-election, he said: “It certainly doesn’t do us any good.
“People will have questions, there will be some concerns. Our party membership will have concerns too.
“What I can commit to as party leader is that we want to be absolutely transparent.”
Asked if the investigation was the real reason Sturgeon resigned, Yousaf told the PA news agency: “Nicola’s legacy stands on its own.
“Nicola’s legacy, whether it’s in relation to care-experienced young people and keeping The Promise, whether it’s on tackling child poverty, there are many legacies she can stand on, and I think that’s what she’ll be judged on.”
He continued: “I believe her very much when she says how exhausted she was.
“I think anybody who watched her over the course of the pandemic during those daily briefings, day after day, I think anybody could understand how exhausting that is.
“So, no, I don’t think this is the reason why Nicola Sturgeon stood down.”
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