Nicola Sturgeon's husband Peter Murrell re-arrested in connection with SNP finances investigation

18 April 2024, 17:15 | Updated: 18 April 2024, 18:48

The husband of ex-first minister Nicola Sturgeon has been re-arrested in connection with Police Scotland's investigation into the party's finances.

Peter Murrell, the former SNP chief executive, was arrested in April last year as part of a probe into the party's funding and finances.

The 59-year-old was taken into custody for questioning at 9.13am, more than a year after his first arrest.

Police Scotland said in a statement: "A 59-year-old man has today, Thursday, April 18, 2024, been re-arrested in connection with the ongoing investigation into the funding and finances of the Scottish National Party.

"The man, who was previously arrested as a suspect on April 5, 2023, was taken into custody at 9.13am and is being questioned by Police Scotland detectives.

"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 at this time."

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Police Scotland searched Mr Murrell’s home near Glasgow, which he shares with Ms Sturgeon, last year on April 5.

Following his arrest, he was later released without charge pending further investigation.

Ms Sturgeon, who resigned as first minister and SNP leader in February 2023, was arrested two months after her husband.

The former party treasurer Colin Beattie was also arrested.

Both Ms Sturgeon and Mr Beattie were also released without charge pending further investigation.

The probe, known as Operation Branchform, was launched in May 2021 and looked at how money raised as part of a 'referendum appeal' was used.

It came after accounts for the SNP showed less than £100,000 in the bank in 2019, despite the party receiving £600,000 in donations.

A new officer was understood to have been appointed to oversee the operation earlier this month in a bid to run a "fresh pair of eyes" over it before an official report is submitted.

Scottish Conservative chairman Craig Hoy said: "This is an extremely serious development and it's essential that all SNP staff and politicians, past and present, cooperate fully with Police Scotland.

"This complex investigation has been going on for three years and it's vital that the SNP are fully open and transparent so that the police can finally conclude their probe."