Former chief executive of the Scottish National Party (SNP) Peter Murrell “has been released without charge pending further investigation,” Police Scotland said.
This followed 58-year-old Murrell, the husband of ex-SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon, being arrested on Wednesday as part of a £600,000 ($747,000) fraud probe into their party's finances.
A spokesperson for the former Scottish first minister reacted by saying that “It would not be appropriate to comment on a live police investigation” and that “Nicola Sturgeon had no prior knowledge of Police Scotland’s action or intentions.”
“Msю Sturgeon will fully cooperate with Police Scotland if required however at this time no such request has been made,” the spokesperson added.
The developments come about a week after Humza Yousaf was legally sworn in as Scotland's sixth first minister, replacing Sturgeon after her surprise resignation in February.
In one of her last interviews, the former SNP leader told a UK broadcaster that the ongoing probe, which was opened back in 2021, did not play a part in her departure.