Murrell and Sturgeon home search continues
Police at the home of Peter Murrell and Nicola Sturgeon are continuing their search in relation to the SNP finances investigation.
Officers are still arriving at the scene, with Mr Murrell now released without charge after having been arrested yesterday.
Three police vans were stationed at the house in the morning, with a large blue tent pitched in the garden.
Ms Sturgeon pulled out of a climate event in Edinburgh today, being replaced by secretary for net zero Màiri McAllan.
Her spokesperson said: “In order to keep the focus of this event on the critical issue of the climate emergency and ambassador Patricia Espinosa’s contribution, Nicola Sturgeon has made the decision not to participate this evening.”
She had also previously pledged to “fully co-operate if required” with the investigation, having stated she had “no prior knowledge of Police Scotland’s intentions” to arrest her husband.
Humza Yousuf, Ms Sturgeon’s replacement as First Minister, said the party suffered a “difficult day” with the arrest.
He continued: “There’ll be concern from the public, but there is a live police investigation under way and we will wait to see what comes at the conclusion of that.”
The long-running investigation relates to £600,000 of funding, which had been intended for use in Scottish independence campaigning.
Mr Murrell, 58, was arrested 7:45am yesterday morning, before his release at 6:57pm the same day.
A police statement said: “Officers carried out searches today at a number of addresses as part of the investigation.
“A report will be sent to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. As the investigation is ongoing we are unable to comment further.”
The former SNP chief executive resigned last month, during the campaign to decide Ms Sturgeon’s replacement as First Minister.
