Former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell has been re-arrested in connection with an investigation into party finances.
Murrell, 59, was taken into custody for questioning at 9.13am, more than a year after his first arrest.
On April 5 2023, Police Scotland officers searched Murrell’s home near Glasgow, which he shares with former Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon.
He was later released without charge pending further investigation. Police Scotland have now confirmed his re-arrest.
A 59-year-old man has today, Thursday, 18 April, 2024, been re-arrested in connection with the ongoing investigation into the funding and finances of the Scottish National Party. https://t.co/cM4lhElq2N pic.twitter.com/upIK3dmhVf
— Police Scotland (@PoliceScotland) April 18, 2024
It follows a probe known as Operation Branchform into the spending of more than £600,000 in donations for independence campaigning.
Ms Sturgeon, who resigned as first minister and SNP leader in February 2023, was arrested two months after her husband, while the former party treasurer Colin Beattie was also arrested.
Both Ms Sturgeon and Mr Beattie were released without charge pending further investigation.
A statement from Police Scotland said: “A 59-year-old man has today, Thursday April 18 April 2024, been re-arrested in connection with the ongoing investigation into the funding and finances of the Scottish National Party.
“The man, who was previously arrested as a suspect on April 5 2023, was taken into custody at 9.13am and is being questioned by Police Scotland detectives.”
A blue forensic tent was erected in the couple’s garden last year as part of the investigation and the SNP headquarters in Edinburgh was also searched.
Police also seized a camper van from outside the Fife home of Mr Murrell’s mother.
Following Ms Sturgeon’s arrest in June 2023, she insisted she had “done nothing wrong”.
