Nicola Sturgeon ‘had no prior knowledge’ of husband’s arrest in SNP fraud probe

Ex-first minister says she ‘will fully cooperate with police’ as Peter Murrell released without charge

Former Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon says she had no advance knowledge of police plans to arrest her husband Peter Murrell as part of a probe into the SNP’s finances.

Mr Murrell, 58, was released without charge on Wednesday evening – almost 12 hours after being taken into police custody for questioning, as part of an ongoing fraud investigation.

Detectives scoured the couple’s back garden while a police photographer was seen documenting the search.

Police searched the couple’s garden (PA)

After a day of mounting questions about Ms Sturgeon knew about her husband’s arrest and when, her spokesperson said: “It would not be appropriate to comment on a live police investigation.

“Nicola Sturgeon had no prior knowledge of Police Scotland’s action or intentions.

“Ms Sturgeon will fully cooperate with Police Scotland if required; however, at this time no such request has been made.”

The former SNP leader is under pressure to reveal whether she knew about an impending arrest before her shock resignation in February, when she cited the pressures of almost a decade in the job as her reason for standing down.

Mr Murrell later quit as chief executive of the SNP – a role he had held for more than 20 years – following a controversy about misleading information given to journalists over the party’s membership numbers.

He was arrested on Wednesday as a result of a long-running police investigation into the spending of about £600,000 which was earmarked for Scottish independence campaigning.

Police erected a tent in the couple’s front garden (PA)

A blue tent was set up in the front garden of the couple’s house early on Wednesday morning, and police taped it off.

In the afternoon, officers were seen in the back garden, one of whom was carrying two spades, although it is unclear why the officer was carrying them.

Scouring the garden, the officers were seen opening a small shed and a storage box.

Releasing Mr Murrell on Wednesday evening, Police Scotland said: “A report will be sent to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.

“The matter remains 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.”