Peter Murrell, the husband of Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, has been re-arrested in connection with the police investigation into the finances of the Scottish National Party.
Police Scotland said the 59-year-old former chief executive of the SNP was taken into custody at 9.13am today and is being questioned by detectives in connection with the ongoing investigation into the funding and finances of Scotland’s party of government.
STV News is reporting that Mr Murrell is still in custody and continues to be questioned as of 5pm on Friday. He was previously arrested as a suspect on April 5, 2023.
On that day, there was a large police presence around the home in Glasgow which he shares with his wife, the former first minister.
Mr Murrell was released without charge, pending further investigation, the same day.
On April 18, party treasurer Colin Beattie was arrested and interviewed by police before being released pending further inquiries. Mr Beattie resigned his position.
Former first minister and SNP leader Ms Sturgeon was arrested on June 11.
She “voluntarily” arranged with Police Scotland to be questioned as part of the investigation into the party’s finances, a spokesperson said.
Like the other party figures, she was released without charge pending while the police continued their inquiries.
The investigation has led to the arrests of three key SNP figures – two years on the inquiry continues.
Dumbarton MSP and Scottish Labour depute leader Jackie Baillie said it was “deeply concerning development”.
Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie and Scottish Tory MSP Craig Hoy.
She told STV News: “Police Scotland need to be able to do their job without any interference from politicians or anyone else for that matter.”
Scottish Tory MSP Craig Hoy added: “This is a very serious development in the investigation into the SNP’s finances and it’s vital all SNP politicians and staff fully co-operate with this probe.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “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.”
An SNP spokesperson said: “It would be inappropriate to comment at this stage.”