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Peter Murrell charged with embezzlement in SNP probe | |
(32 minutes later) | |
Peter Murrell left Falkirk Police Station after being charged with embezzlement | |
The husband of former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has been charged in connection with the embezzlement of funds from the Scottish National Party. | |
Peter Murrell, 59, was taken into custody at 09:13 on Thursday and was questioned by Police Scotland detectives. | |
He was previously arrested as a suspect on 5 April 2023 before being released without charge. | |
Mr Murrell resigned as the party's chief executive in March 2023. | Mr Murrell resigned as the party's chief executive in March 2023. |
He was charged at 18:35 after further questioning by Police Scotland officers investigating the funding and finances of the party. | |
Mr Murrell has since been released from police custody at Falkirk Police Station. | |
Peter Murrell: One half of Scotland's power couple | |
Timeline: The SNP finances controversy | Timeline: The SNP finances controversy |
Police Scotland launched a formal investigation into the SNP's finances in July 2021 after receiving complaints about how donations were used. | Police Scotland launched a formal investigation into the SNP's finances in July 2021 after receiving complaints about how donations were used. |
Questions had been raised about more than £660,000 in donations given to the party for use in a fresh independence referendum campaign. | Questions had been raised about more than £660,000 in donations given to the party for use in a fresh independence referendum campaign. |
When Mr Murrell was arrested last year, police searched the house he shares with Ms Sturgeon in Glasgow and the SNP headquarters in Edinburgh. | When Mr Murrell was arrested last year, police searched the house he shares with Ms Sturgeon in Glasgow and the SNP headquarters in Edinburgh. |
The house was sealed off with blue and white tape, while a tent was erected on the driveway. Items were brought from the house to the tent, where the BBC understands a vehicle was parked. | The house was sealed off with blue and white tape, while a tent was erected on the driveway. Items were brought from the house to the tent, where the BBC understands a vehicle was parked. |
Police also seized a camper van from outside the Fife home of Mr Murrell's mother. | Police also seized a camper van from outside the Fife home of Mr Murrell's mother. |
The Niesmann and Bischoff vehicle, which can retail for more than £100,000, was seized by police the same morning that Mr Murrell became the first senior party figure to be arrested in the probe. | The Niesmann and Bischoff vehicle, which can retail for more than £100,000, was seized by police the same morning that Mr Murrell became the first senior party figure to be arrested in the probe. |
Later on 18 April 2023, SNP treasurer Colin Beattie was arrested and interviewed by police before being released pending further investigation. He later resigned his position in the party. | Later on 18 April 2023, SNP treasurer Colin Beattie was arrested and interviewed by police before being released pending further investigation. He later resigned his position in the party. |
Nicola Sturgeon was arrested on 11 June when she "voluntarily" arranged with Police Scotland to be questioned as part of the investigation, a spokesperson said at the time. | Nicola Sturgeon was arrested on 11 June when she "voluntarily" arranged with Police Scotland to be questioned as part of the investigation, a spokesperson said at the time. |
She was released without charge seven hours later pending further inquiries. | She was released without charge seven hours later pending further inquiries. |
Police erected a tent in front of the house Mr Murrell shares with Ms Sturgeon when he was arrested last year | |
Ms Sturgeon had unexpectedly announced she was resigning as SNP leader and first minister four months earlier in February 2023. | Ms Sturgeon had unexpectedly announced she was resigning as SNP leader and first minister four months earlier in February 2023. |
A Police Scotland spokesperson 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." | |
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Related Topics | Related Topics |
SNP (Scottish National Party) | SNP (Scottish National Party) |