Nicola Sturgeon’s husband Peter Murrell re-arrested in police probe into SNP funding

Nicola Sturgeon’s husband has been re-arrested amid a probe into the funding and finances of the Scottish National Party.

Peter Murrell, former SNP chief executive and husband of the ex-first minister Ms Sturgeon, was arrested by Police Scotland in April last year as officers investigate funding arrangements for the nationalist party. He was re-arrested on Thursday in connection with the investigation into the party's finances.

In April last year, Police Scotland officers searched Mr Murrell's home near Glasgow, which he shares with Ms Sturgeon. He was later released without charge pending further investigation. It follows a probe known as Operation Branchform into the spending of more than £600,000 in donations for independence campaigning.

Ms Sturgeon, who resigned as first minister and SNP leader in February 2023, was arrested two months after her husband, while the former party treasurer Colin Beattie was also arrested. Both Ms Sturgeon and Mr Beattie were released without charge pending further investigation.

In a statement on the investigation into Scottish National Party finances, Police Scotland said on Thursday: "A 59-year-old man has today, Thursday, 18 April, 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 5 April, 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. For this reason, Police Scotland has turned off the comments function on this post. As the investigation is ongoing we are unable to comment further at this time."

Mr Murrell quit as SNP chief executive in March last year after admitting responsibility for misleading the media about party membership numbers.

In his resignation statement Mr Murrell said: "Responsibility for the SNP's responses to media queries about our membership number lies with me as chief executive. While there was no intent to mislead, I accept that this has been the outcome. I have therefore decided to confirm my intention to step down as chief executive with immediate effect."