Sturgeon’s husband was released without charge

Peter Murrell, the husband of the former Scottish chief minister Nicola Sturgeon, was released without charge last night, after being detained for several hours in connection with an investigation into the finances of the Scottish National Party (SNP)Police Scotland reported.

In a statement collected by Efe, the police also stated that the agents had registered “multiple addresses as part of the investigation” and that a report will be drawn up and sent to the prosecutor’s office. Sturgeon announced her resignation as Scottish First Minister and SNP leader last February, and was replaced by Humza Yousaf last week after internal elections.

The former pro-independence leader, who retained her seat in the Holyrood (Edinburgh) Parliament, “will co-operate fully with Police Scotland if required, although no such request has been made to date”his spokesman said yesterday.

After learning about the arrest, the party issued a statement in which it states that “it would not be appropriate” to comment on the ongoing police investigation, but emphasizes that the unit is “fully cooperating with this investigation and will continue to do so.” The formation added that the leadership of the SNP agreed on the revision “governance and transparency, which will be implemented in the coming weeks”.

Last month, Murrell resigned as chief executive of the SNP, following speculation that members of the executive committee might face a vote of no confidence in him. Murrell’s resignation was effective immediately and came amid discontent within the ranks of the formation due to the decline in the number of members of the nationalist formation and alleged irregularities in the party’s finances.