Peter Murrell released without charge following arrest

Peter Murrell, the former SNP chief executive, has been released without charge after being arrested as part of an investigation into the party's finances. 

Murrell, who is married to former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, was released earlier this evening pending further investigation.

Police Scotland said a 58-year-old man had been arrested at 7.45am and released from custody at 6.57pm.

In a statement, the force said: “A 58-year-old man who was arrested as a suspect earlier today in connection with the ongoing investigation into the funding and finances of the Scottish National Party, has been released without charge pending further investigation.

“The man was questioned by Police Scotland detectives after he was arrested at 7.45am. He was released from custody at 6.57pm.”

During the course of the day, officers have been seen searching the house Murrell shares with Sturgeon and the SNP HQ in Edinburgh. 

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

Earlier, 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.”