'TRUST US'
Humza Yousaf ‘shocked’ at Peter Murrell embezzlement charges and hopes Scots will ‘continue to trust’ SNP
The FM gave several reasons for why people should still believe in the SNP.
HUMZA Yousaf today said he hopes Scots will "continue to trust" the SNP after police charged Nicola Sturgeon's husband over alleged embezzlement of party funds.
Former Nats chief executive Peter Murrell was re-arrested by cops on Thursday and held for nine hours before being released.
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Statements last night said officers are continuing their long-running probe, which also saw Ms Sturgeon and SNP MSP and ex party treasurer Colin Beattie arrested last year.
And speaking to reporters at Bute House today, First Minister Mr Yousaf told of his "shock" at the embezzlement allegation against Mr Murrell - SNP backroom boss from 1999 to 2023 - and said it was "a really serious and concerning matter".
Asked about what he needs to do to rebuild trust in the SNP, Mr Yousaf said: "The police statement makes it very clear that an individual has been charged with embezzlement, embezzlement of funds from the SNP.
"I think that's really important to reiterate here. This will be a shock to many people, myself included, who've known Peter for a number of years.
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"There is an ongoing investigation and I've got to let the police do their job.
"In terms of people trusting the SNP, I certainly hope and I'm not ever complacent about this, that they will continue to trust us because of the record of delivery."
Mr Yousaf cited "100,000 children" being lifted out of poverty, a "record number of young people going to university from areas of highest deprivation", and a "national council tax freeze", adding: "That's the kind of thing that I think we, I hope we are judged upon, that affects and impacts people every day of the year."
Asked about the re-arrest and charging of Mr Murrell, the First Minister said it was a "serious development", adding: "The allegation of embezzlement from and of party funds, that is a really serious and concerning matter."
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He said: "Now there is an ongoing investigation. We've got to allow the police and indeed the Crown [Office] to do their job, just as I've got a job to do as First Minister.
"That job of course ensuring that I support households throughout the cost-of-living times, ensuring that we cut waiting times in the NHS, and ensuring we support businesses and ensuring I advance the cause of independence, that's the job that I'm focused on."
Police spotted outside Nicola Sturgeon’s day after husband Peter Murrell charged with embezzlement
On Thursday evening following Mr Murrell's release, the SNP said he had resigned his membership.
Asked if he welcomed this decision, Mr Yousaf said: "Well, again, it was a matter that's on the record now that Peter has resigned his SNP membership. I think it was the right thing to do."
And asked if Ms Sturgeon and Mr Beattie were still members of the SNP, Mr Yousaf confirmed they were.
He said: "Their circumstances as far as I have seen in latest developments hasn't changed."