The Scottish National Party (SNP) has been rocked by the news of an investigation into its finances, which has resulted in the arrest of Nicola Sturgeon’s husband, Peter Murrell. Murrell, who is also the SNP’s chief executive, was taken into custody on Friday and released on bail pending further inquiries. The investigation has raised questions about the party’s funding and the role of high-profile SNP figures in its financial operations, and is likely to have significant implications for Scottish politics in the months ahead. In this article, we will explore the background to the investigation, the allegations being made, and the potential consequences for the SNP and the wider political landscape.
Peter Murrell, the husband of former Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon and former chief executive of the Scottish National Party (SNP), has been arrested in connection with an investigation into SNP finances. Murrell was taken into custody and questioned by detectives while police searched the couple’s home in Glasgow. The property was taped off and a large police tent was erected outside. Police Scotland have been looking into the spending of around £600,000 of funds earmarked for Scottish independence campaigning. Murrell stepped down as chief executive, a position he had held for more than 20 years, during the recent leadership campaign which saw Sturgeon replaced as first minister by Humza Yousaf.
Officers are also present at the SNP’s headquarters in Edinburgh, with police vans parked outside and uniformed police inside the building. Police Scotland stated: “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… A report will be sent to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.”
The SNP released a statement confirming that it was cooperating with the police investigation, but declined to provide further comment. The party also stated that it had agreed to “a review of governance and transparency” at a meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee on 3 April.
Opposition parties requested information from Yousaf and Sturgeon, stating that the investigation needed to proceed without interference. Scottish Labour’s deputy leader Jackie Baillie said: “We need Humza Yousaf and Nicola Sturgeon to urgently state what they knew and when.”
Sturgeon, who has been married to Murrell since 2010, stood down as first minister last week following six years in the role.
Due to contempt of court rules, Police Scotland have advised caution regarding the discussion of the case on social media.
