Nicola Sturgeon's husband's SNP loans declared in default, watchdog says

Ms Sturgeon and Mr Murrell, arrested in April last year by police investigating the SNP's finances. Photo: Jane Barlow/PA Wire

Two more loans made by Nicola Sturgeon's husband to the Scottish National Party should have been announced earlier, the election observer has ruled.

The Electoral Commission said that in relation to the loans, provided in 2018 by Peter Murrell, enforcement action may be taken. the party's then leader.

But the commission said it could only consider the matter once the ongoing police investigation into the SNP's finances had been completed.

Mr Murrell made two loans to the party worth £7,500, which were recently published on the commission's website. The first began on March 22, 2018, and the second on April 25.

Both loans were fully repaid shortly after launch, and the second was fully repaid within two days.

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The SNP said they were «short-term loans» but the party did not specify what they were for. Loans to the party that total more than £7,500 in a calendar year must be declared.

These are separate from the loan of more than £100,000 that Mr Murrell made to the party in June 2021. Some of that money had yet to be paid out last year.

Murrell was arrested in April last year by police investigating the Scottish National Party's finances and the house he shared with Ms Sturgeon was searched .

The luxury motorhome was repossessed from his mother's home.

“We have consulted with Police Scotland.”

Ms Sturgeon and Colin Beattie, the former treasurer of the Scottish National Party, were later arrested. . All three were released without charge pending further investigation, and Ms Sturgeon has denied any wrongdoing.

A spokeswoman for the Electoral Commission said: «In the third quarter of 2023, the Scottish National Party informed us of two loans that Peter Murrell entered into in 2018, which should have been reported in the second quarter of 2018.

» We have consulted with Police Scotland as to whether the release of this information would impact on the ongoing investigation into the party's finances.

» Police Scotland have confirmed that the release of this information will not have any negative impact on their investigation, which is why it has been added to our database.

“We may consider late reporting in accordance with our enforcement policy, if appropriate, after the police investigation has concluded.” It is understood this could include a fine.

An SNP spokeswoman said: “Two short-term loans of £7,500 were made in March and April 2018, each of which was repaid within a few days.” .

“While the individual loans of £7,500 do not require reporting, we recognize that as both loans were made in the same calendar year, they should have been reported, which we have done.” p>