Former Scottish Leader's Husband Charged in SNP Finances Probe

Peter Murrell, the husband of former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, has been charged in connection with the embezzlement of funds from the Scottish National Party (SNP). Murrell, who served as the SNP's chief executive for over 20 years, was arrested on April 18, 2024, as part of an ongoing investigation into the party's finances known as Operation Branchform.

The police probe, launched in July 2021, is examining the SNP's handling of more than £600,000 in donations raised in 2017 for a second independence referendum. Concerns have been raised about the transparency of the party's finances, particularly around the status of these funds, which never materialized into a campaign.

Murrell was previously arrested in April 2023 and questioned for 12 hours before being released without charge pending further investigation. Sturgeon herself was also arrested on the same day as part of the inquiry but was later released without charge. The former First Minister has denied any wrongdoing in the matter.

The charges against Murrell mark a significant development in the long-running investigation, which has also led to the arrests of other senior SNP officials, including the party's then-treasurer, Colin Beattie. The probe has cast a cloud over the SNP, which has struggled since Sturgeon's successor, Humza Yousaf, took over the leadership in February 2023.

Despite the ongoing investigation, the SNP remains the most popular party in Scotland. However, Britain's main opposition Labour Party has been making significant gains, and a British general election is expected to take place in the fall of 2024. Yousaf has acknowledged that the investigation has affected the public's perception of the party, stating, "The investigation has cast a shadow over the party, and we need to be honest about that."

Key Takeaways

• Peter Murrell, husband of ex-Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, charged in SNP funds embezzlement.
• Police probe launched in 2021 over £600k in donations raised for 2nd independence referendum.
• Murrell previously arrested in 2023, Sturgeon also arrested but released without charge.
• Probe has cast a cloud over SNP, which remains Scotland's most popular party.
• SNP leadership under Humza Yousaf acknowledges investigation has affected public perception.