GARDEN RAID
Cops scour ex-First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s back garden after husband’s arrest in SNP finances probe
COPS searching Nicola Sturgeon's home have been scouring her back garden after her husband was arrested amid a probe into the SNP's finances.
Officers spent hours examining the property's garden area after the former First Minister's partner Peter Murrell was lifted this morning.
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The move came amid a long-running, police investigation into the spending of about £600,000 which was earmarked for Scottish independence campaigning.
Police spent the day searching a number of properties including Ms Sturgeon's home and SNP Headquarters in Edinburgh.
Officers wearing blue rubber gloves moved in behind the home and were seen huddling next to a conservatory before searching a shed and moving furniture.
Several officers could also be seen searching garden storage.
One could be seen holding a camera and taking shots at the rear of the property.
Another clutched a spade while what appeared to be a barbecue was checked.
And a cop carried what looked like a rake and another examined the handle of another tool.
They were seen removing stuff from the house and placing it into police vans.
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It is believed Ms Sturgeon was in the Glasgow house when dozens of officers swarmed in at 7.35am and lifted Mr Murrell at 7.45am.
The former chief exec was quizzed by police as searches were carried out at the property and Nats HQ in Edinburgh.
The ex-First Minister left in a waiting car at around 8am.
Police launched a probe into SNP finances over concerns about what happened to nearly £500,000 raised for a referendum campaign in a 2017 online crowdfunder.
They confirmed Mr Murrell had been arrested as part of the investigation, Operation Branchform.
Earlier search teams set up a tent on the driveway of the couple’s home, while large blue sheets were used to shield the view of the garage and back garden.
Officers appeared to be concentrating their efforts on the garden, even peering inside a barbecue in their hunt for evidence.
A neighbour told the Scottish Sun: “When they arrived, the cops said they were on business to see a high profile neighbour and couldn’t give me any details. They started arriving in numbers after that.”
They added: “It’s not without drama living next to them.”
Police also raided the SNP’s HQ near the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh.
Mr Murrell was released later in the evening without charge “pending further investigation”.
Police Scotland said: “A 58-year-old man who was arrested as a suspect earlier today, Wednesday 5 April, 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 after he was arrested at 7.45am. He was released from custody at 6.57pm.”
A spokesperson for Ms Sturgeon said: “It would not be appropriate to comment on a live police investigation. Nicola Sturgeon had no prior knowledge of Police Scotland’s action or intentions.
“Ms Sturgeon will fully cooperate with Police Scotland if required, however at this time no such request has been made.”
The former FM's loyal successor Humza Yousaf insisted he first learned of the arrest when Police Scotland issued a statement yesterday morning — and defended his former boss.
Ms Sturgeon shocked the nation when she stepped down claiming she wanted to get her private life back.
Supportive Mr Yousaf said: “I believe her very much when she says how exhausted she was. I think anybody who watched her over the course of the pandemic during those daily briefings, day after day, I think anybody could understand how exhausting that is.
“So, no, I don't think this is the reason why Nicola Sturgeon stood down.”
An SNP spokesman said: “The SNP have been cooperating fully with this investigation and will continue to do so.”
However, they said that following recent criticism of Mr Murrell’s running of the SNP the party’s ruling body was taking steps to be more transparent.
They added: “At its meeting on Saturday, the governing body of the SNP, the NEC, agreed to a review of governance and transparency.”
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Mr Murrell was forced to resign as the party’s chief exec last month amid claims of lies and secrecy during the race to replace his wife as leader.
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