Peter Murrell, the husband of former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, was arrested Wednesday in connection with an investigation into the funding and finances of the Scottish National Party (SNP).
Murrell, 58, stepped down as chief executive of the SNP last month, after more than two decades in the job, following Sturgeon’s shock resignation as prime minister in February.
A 58-year-old man was “detained as a suspect” and is being questioned by detectives, Police Scotland said in a statement.
“Agents are also conducting searches at various addresses as part of the investigation,” the statement added.
Police Scotland is conducting an investigation into the SNP’s handling of money that was earmarked for the Scottish Independence campaign, according to PA Media.
An SNP spokesman said the party would not comment on an ongoing investigation, but “has been cooperating fully with this investigation and will continue to do so.”
The party’s governing body has agreed to a governance and transparency review, the spokesperson added.
The SNP has been at the helm of the Scottish government since 2007, but its goal of seceding from the UK has been slowed of late by falling polls and political obstacles.
Murrell and Sturgeon have been key figures in the Scottish independence movement for years.
Sturgeon was the country’s prime minister for eight years, but on February 15 she dramatically announced that she would resign from her post.
At the time, Sturgeon said he knew “the time had come” to resign, adding that the decision was “the right thing to do for me, for my party, and for the country.”
His announcement sparked a leadership battle that was won by Humza Yousaf, a contest that exposed divisions within the party.
