Peter Murrell charged in connection with embezzlement of party funds

Peter Murrell, who is married to the former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, has been charged in connection with the  embezzlement of funds from the Scottish National Party.

The 59-year-old who was arrested for a second time at 9.13am on Thursday after a previous arrest on 5 April, 2023, was charged at 6.35pm after further questioning by Police Scotland detectives investigating the funding and finances of the party.

Ms Sturgeon and the party treasurer Colin Beattie MSP were both arrested and released without charge during last year. Operation Branchform relates to £600,000 raised for the independence campaign since 2017.

A report will be sent to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service in due course and Police Scotland have confirmed that Mr Murrell is no longer in police custody.

Police Scotland said: “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.”

Mr Murrell was Chief Executive of the SNP until he resigned in March last year after 20 years in the position when a dispute over membership numbers arose.

An SNP spokesperson said: “While this development will come as a shock, the police investigation remains ongoing and it would, therefore, be inappropriate to make any comment.”