Police swoop on SNP HQ as Nicola Sturgeon’s husband Peter Murrell arrested over finances probe

POLICE have swooped on the SNP's headquarters in Edinburgh after Nicola Sturgeon's husband Peter Murrell was arrested amid a probe into the party's finances.

Former Chief Exec Mr Murrell was arrested this morning and police are currently searching a number of properties as part of the investigation.

In Edinburgh, a number of police vans were seen parked outside the headquarters of the SNP at Jackson's Entry.

No police officers were seen around the building however the search is understood to be one of several buildings they are focusing on.

A large number of police van and officers are currently outside the home of Mr Murrell and Ms Sturgeon.

A police tent was set up on the grass outside their home in Uddingston as Operation Branchform continues.

The house has also been cordoned off with police tape amid the ongoing search.

Peter Murrell resigned on 18 March after controversy during the latest SNP leadership contest after he was threatened with a no confidence vote.

We told how Nats chiefs have been under investigation over the past 18 months after questions over nearly £500,000 of “missing” cash from an IndyRef2 online crowdfunder in 2017.

Operation Branchform was launched in 2021 amid claims from activists that money raised in 2017 claimed to be specifically for a referendum campaign was spent on other things.

It's also claimed a £107,620 loan in 2021 from chief exec Mr Murrell to bail out the Nats from “cash flow” issues is also being looked at by police as part of the investigation.

The SNP have said it would be inappropriate to comment on an investigation however confirmed they would be fully cooperating with any investigation.

They said: "Clearly it would not be appropriate to comment on any live police investigation but the SNP have been co-operating fully with this investigation and will continue to do so.

"At its meeting on Saturday, the governing body of the SNP, the NEC, agreed to a review of governance and transparency - that will be taken forward in the coming weeks."

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "A 58-year-old man has today, Wednesday, 5 April 2023, been arrested as a suspect in connection with the ongoing investigation into the funding and finances of the Scottish National Party.

"The man is in custody and is being questioned by Police Scotland detectives.

"Officers are also carrying out searches at a number of addresses as part of the investigation.

"A report will be sent to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.

"The matter is 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."

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