The husband of Scotland’s former Chief Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, was arrested as part of an ongoing investigation into the finances of the Scottish National Party (SNP), British media report.
Peter Murrell, 58, was taken into police custody after the start of a series of raids related to the investigation, according to the BBC and other UK media.
In a statement, Police Scotland said it had carried out inquiries in different directions as part of a coordinated effort to clarify possible irregularities in the management of the finances of the party that governs the region.
The inquiry into SNP finances stemmed from complaints about its handling of £600,000 in donations
The inquiry into SNP finances stemmed from complaints about its handling of £600,000 in donationssupposedly intended for the campaign and holding of a second referendum on independence from the United Kingdom.
“A 58-year-old man was arrested today, Wednesday 5 April 2023, as a suspect in connection with the ongoing investigation into the funding and finances of the Scottish National Party,” police said in a brief statement.
“The man is in custody and is being questioned by Police Scotland detectives. Officers are also conducting searches at various addresses as part of the investigation,” it added.
The note did not identify the man arrested.but the BBC and other media claimed that it was Murrell.
The Police also informed that a report will be sent to the Crown Office and the Prosecutor’s Fiscal Service and clarified that as the investigation is ongoing, they could not comment further.
According to the BBC, Police officers were seen at the couple’s home in the city of Glasgow and at the SNP headquarters in Edinburgh.
About 10 uniformed officers were seen parked in front of the former chief minister’s house, along with a police vehicle and a tent on the front lawn.
The curtains and blinds remained drawn and there was no sign of anyone on the property.
Although no specific details have been released about the charges Murrell faces, his arrest has raised concerns within the ranks of the SNP and among the public given the central role Murrell and Sturgeon have played in the SNP and in Scottish government over the past few years. years.
The former first minister, who announced her resignation last February when her successor to head the party was chosen, was a key figure in driving the Scottish independence movement and her legacy could now be tarnished by this investigation.
Sturgeon, who had served eight years in the role, was succeeded as SNP leader by Humza Yousaf, who last month was confirmed as Scotland’s new chief minister by the regional Parliament.
