Peter Murrell arrested in SNP finance investigation

Peter Murrell, former chief executive of the SNP, has been arrested in connection with an investigation into the funding and finances of the party.

He has been taken into custody for questioning.

A report will be sent to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.

Officers are also carrying out searches at a number of addresses as part of the investigation, including HQ in Edinburgh.

Murrell – who is also husband of former first minister Nicola Sturgeon – had been the CEO of the party since 1999 until last month.

He stood down after a row over membership numbers.

An SNP spokesperson said: "Clearly it would not be appropriate to comment on any live police investigation but the SNP have been cooperating fully with this investigation and will continue to do so.

"At its meeting on Saturday, the governing body of the SNP, the NEC, agreed to a review of governance and transparency - that will be taken forward in the coming weeks."