Former Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon has given her first response hours after her husband was charged in reference to embezzlement of SNP funds.
Police Scotland confirmed on Thursday night that Peter Murrell, the celebration’s former chief govt for 22 years, had been arrested and charged over the investigation.
The 59-year-old was beforehand arrested as a suspect final 12 months, earlier than being launched with out cost. On Thursday, he resigned his membership of the SNP, which has been urged to co-operate with the police investigation.
Mr Murrell’s cost is a part of a probe often known as Operation Branchform into the spending of greater than £600,000 in donations for campaigning for Scottish independence.
On Friday, Ms Sturgeon spoke to reporters outdoors her residence in Uddingston close to Glasgow. Requested in regards to the state of affairs as she obtained into her automobile, she stated: “It’s extremely troublesome, however that’s not the principle challenge right here.
“I can’t say any extra, I’m not going to say anymore”
She additionally requested reporters to depart her neighbours in peace. She stated: “I’m now going to exit for a stroll if that’s alright with you? I do know you’ve obtained jobs to do however I ask you, perhaps, to offer me neighbours some peace. There’s nothing going to be occurring right here.”
After being charged by police, Mr Murrell returned residence on Thursday evening.
Ms Sturgeon was arrested two months after her husband was first arrested in April final 12 months, whereas former celebration treasurer Colin Beattie was additionally arrested final 12 months. Each had been launched with out cost pending additional investigation.
Ms Sturgeon stood down as Scotland’s first minister and SNP chief final February, saying that the pressures of the job had change into “very troublesome”.
Mr Murrell stepped down as SNP chief govt throughout final 12 months’s management marketing campaign, gained by Humza Yousaf.
On Thursday night, Police Scotland stated in a press release: “A 59-year-old man has at the moment been charged in reference to the embezzlement of funds from the Scottish Nationwide Occasion.
“The person, who was arrested at 9.13am at the moment and had beforehand been arrested as a suspect on April 5 2023, was charged at 6.35pm after additional questioning by Police Scotland detectives investigating the funding and funds of the celebration.
“A report shall be despatched to the Crown Workplace and Procurator Fiscal Service in the end. The person is now not in police custody.
“As this investigation is ongoing we’re unable to remark additional.”
Scottish Conservatives chairman Craig Hoy urged the SNP to “fully-cooperate” because the investigation continues.
An SNP spokesperson stated: “Whereas this improvement will come as a shock, the police investigation stays ongoing and it will, subsequently, be inappropriate to make any remark.”
