MURRELL CHARGED

FORMER SNP CHIEF EXEC IS ACCUSED OF EMBEZZLING PARTY FUNDS

- PAUL HUTCHEON and CHRIS MCCALL

• Sturgeon's husband indicted in long-running investigation into the misappropriation of finances
• Ex-party boss exits station after grilling by Operation Branchform detectives lasting more than 9hrs

FORMER SNP chief Peter Murrell has been charged in connection with the embezzlement of funds from the party.

The husband of ex-first minister Nicola Sturgeon was re-arrested on Thursday morning Detectives brought him in for questioning as part of Operation Branchform, the investigation into how about £600,000 of IndyRef2 donations to the party was spent.

The 59-year-old was quizzed at Falkirk police station at 9.13am, more than a year after his first arrest.

He was later charged.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: "A 59-year-old man has today, Thursday, April 18, 2024, been charged in connection with the embezzlement of funds from the Scottish National Party.

"The man, who was arrested at 9.13am today and had previously been arrested as a suspect on April 5, 2023, was charged at 6.35pm after further questioning by Police Scotland detectives investigating the funding and finances of the party.

"A report will be sent to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service in due course. The man is no longer in police custody.

"As this investigation is ongoing we are unable to comment further."