Nicola Sturgeon pulls out of climate event as police investigation continues

Nicola Sturgeon has pulled out of an event after her husband Peter Murrell was questioned by police on Wednesday.

Murrell, former chief executive of the SNP, was released without charge yesterday evening, pending further investigation into party finances.

The couple’s house and the party’s headquarters in Edinburgh were searched by officers.

The former first minister was meant to be speaking at an event on climate change in Edinburgh on Thursday evening.

New net zero secretary Màiri McAllan will now attend instead, alongside former executive secretary of the UNFCCC and current Mexican ambassador to Germany, Patricia Espinosa.

In a statement, Sturgeon’s spokesperson said: “In order to keep the focus of this event on the critical issue of the climate emergency and Ambassador Patricia Espinosa's contribution, Nicola Sturgeon has made the decision not to participate this evening.

"She is grateful to the festival and Ambassador Espinosa for their understanding, and to Mairi McAllan for taking her place."

Murrell, who had been the CEO of the party since 1999, stood down last month after a row over membership numbers.