Peter Murrell: Nicola Sturgeon's husband & former SNP chief charged in connection with embezzlement of funds

Former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell has been charged in connection with embezzlement of SNP funds following a police investigation into the party’s finances. The 59-year-old husband of former first minister Nicola Sturgeon was taken into custody for questioning at 9.13am, more than a year after his first arrest.

Police confirmed shortly on Thursday evening he has been charged in connection with their investigation into SNP finances.

The force said in a statement: “A 59-year-old man has today, Thursday, April 18 been charged in connection with the embezzlement of funds from the Scottish National Party. The man, who was arrested at 9.13am today and had previously been arrested as a suspect on April 5, 2023, was charged at 6.35pm after further questioning by Police Scotland detectives investigating the funding and finances of the party.

“A report will be sent to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service in due course. The man is no longer in police custody. As this investigation is ongoing we are unable to comment further.

“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.”

Former First Minister Sturgeon has been highest profile SNP figure to be arrested as part of the investigation, as Police Scotland look into how more than £600,000 in donations to the party, earmarked for an independence referendum, have been used. She was questioned by police in connection with the inquiry and was released without charge on 11 June last year, pending further investigation.