Nicola Sturgeon ‘left home minutes before police raid’ as husband Peter Murrell arrested
NICOLA Sturgeon left her home just minutes before police raided her house and her husband was arrested, it’s claimed.
Former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell, 58, was arrested this morning as police investigate the party’s finances.
We told earlier how a large police presence swooped on the couple’s home in Uddingston, Lanarkshire, early this morning.
And now it’s understood the former First Minister left the house just moments before officers arrived to carry out the raid.
Eyewitnesses told how Ms Sturgeon was picked up at around 8.10am this morning.
Locals in the area reported seeing Ms Sturgeon get into a black Volvo XC90 after leaving the property.
Police arrived a short while later around 8.30am.
Police were seen searching the couple’s home and have put up a tent in the front garden.
The house was also cordoned off with police tape as officers stood guard.
And cops eventually placed big blue walls up to protect the house amid the ongoing search.
Mr Murrell’s car is still parked outside the home plugged into an electric charger.
We also told how police have conducted searches at the SNP’s HQ in Edinburgh this morning.
Police Scotland have been investigating about £600,000 which was earmarked for Scottish independence campaigning.
Mr Murrell stepped down as chief executive of the SNP – a role he had held for more than 20 years – during the recent leadership campaign.
The 58-year-old has been married Ms Sturgeon since 2010.
A Police Scotland spokesperson 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.
“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.”
The SNP have said it would not be “appropriate” to comment on the live investigation however confirmed they will continue to cooperate fully.
They 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.”
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