SNP refuses to remove Peter Murrell from office after his arrest

Last week, Mr. Murrell was questioned by police for 11 hours before being released. Photo: Jeremy Sutton-Hibbert/Alamy Live News

The SNP refused to suspend Peter Murrell's membership following his arrest, and party insiders said it was up to him to «leave».

Mr. Murrell, former party chief executive and husband of Nicola Sturgeon, was arrested last Wednesday by police investigating the SNP's finances.

About the same time the police began a two-day search of their home, they seized a luxury motorhome near his home 92 -year-old mother in Dunfermline.

He was released without charge after more than 11 hours of interrogation, just under 12 hours maximum, pending further investigation.

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SNP sources have indicated that he has not been charged and that he is a «regular» member after stepping down as CEO last month due to inaccurate denials given by the media about the drastic reduction in party membership.

A party insider said, «Any decision to 'step back' from membership during the investigation will be up to him.»

< p>But Craig Hoy, chairman of the Scottish Conservative, said: «The SNP's penchant for secrecy and lack of transparency is a huge factor in their current crisis and yet they remain unwilling or unable to change their behaviour.

“Given that he is at the center of a major police investigation into the party’s dark finances – in addition to having to step down as chief executive for lying to SNP members and the media – one would expect Peter Murrell’s membership to be suspended at the very least. pending a police investigation.»

SNP insists it is not paying Mr. Murrell's legal fees, but questions have been raised about why it hired a top lawyer who is an expert in white-collar work . crime.

The Telegraph reported last week that Stuart Munro, who represented former News of the World editor Andy Colson in his 2015 perjury trial, is now representing the party .

Since July 2021, Police Scotland have been looking into SNP data. processing over £600,000 in donations raised in 2017 for a second independence referendum.

Supporters complained when reports filed with Companies House in 2020 showed the SNP only had 97,000 pounds in the bank despite the referendum. never hosted.

Mike Russell, SNP president and acting CEO, said over the weekend that the party was in its biggest crisis and he didn't think independence could be achieved «right now».

Ian Blackford, former leader of the party in Westminster, called for unity and acknowledged that the party was going through a «very difficult period».

Mr Blackford, who was sacked in December, told BBC Radio Scotland: “Political parties that don't unite face, of course, electoral problems. I think it's really up to us how we respond to the period we've been through.»

MP Ross, Skye and Lochaber insisted that support for independence is still «fluctuating around or close to The 50 per cent level.”

However, he added: “We need to show that we are worthy of the people's trust, and it is about the Scottish government delivering results in all areas transferred.”

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Despite widespread doubts about Humza Yusaf's competence, Mr Blackford said he thought the new first minister would «surprise people» and that he had assembled «an exciting cabinet of talent.»

He also resigned a call by SNP MP Angus McNeill to The Telegraph last week about re-holding the party's leadership contest following Mr Murrell's arrest.

Mr Blackford said: “I think people are very happy that we have a process that works and that we have a leader that we can fully support.”