Nicola Sturgeon’s husband Peter Murrell released without charge after arrest amid SNP finances probe
PETER Murrell has been released without charge following his arrest this morning amid a probe into the SNP’s finances.
Nicola Sturgeon’s husband and former Nats chief executive was being questioned by detectives as they carried out searches at different properties.
Cops have now confirmed that the 58-year-old has been released without charge pending further investigation.
The move came amid a long-running, police probe into the spending of about £600,000 which was earmarked for Scottish independence campaigning.
Cops have spent the day searching a number of properties including Ms Sturgeon’s home and SNP Headquarters in Edinburgh.
Images show police at the scene in Uddingston since around 8.30am this morning.
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 was parked outside the home plugged into an electric charger.
Officers wearing blue rubber gloves moved in behind the home and were seen huddling next to a conservatory before searching a shed and moving furniture.
Several officers could also be seen searching a garden storage.
It’s thought the Ms Sturgeon was then seen getting into a waiting black Volvo X390 at around 8am as teams swept her house in the dramatic early morning blitz.
Peter Murrell resigned on March 18 after controversy during the latest SNP leadership contest after he was threatened with a no confidence vote.
We told how Nats chiefs have been under investigation over the past 18 months after questions over nearly £500,000 of “missing” cash from an IndyRef2 online crowdfunder in 2017.
The cops’ Operation Branchform was launched in July 2021 to investigate claims from some activists that money raised in 2017 – which the SNP said was specifically for a referendum campaign – was spent on other things.
It’s also claimed a £107,620 loan in 2021 from former chief exec Mr Murrell to bail out the Nats from “cash flow” issues is also being looked at by police as part of the investigation.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “A 58-year-old man who was arrested as a suspect earlier today, Wednesday, 5 April 2023, 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.”
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