Nicola Sturgeon – latest: Ex-SNP leader says past few days ‘difficult’ after husband Peter Murrell’s arrest

Former SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon has said the last few days have been “obviously difficult” after the arrest of her husband and the party’s former chief executive Peter Murrell amid a police investigation into its finances.

Speaking outside her home near Glasgow, Nicola Sturgeon said in a brief statement that she understands “the scrutiny that comes on me as a public figure”, adding that she intends to “get on with life and my job as you would expect”.

Nicola Sturgeon asked for a “little bit of privacy in my own home” as she broke her silence following the arrest of her husband Peter Murrell in a probe of SNP finances.

Speaking outside her house near Glasgow on Saturday afternoon, the former first minister said: “The last few days have been obviously difficult, quite dramatic at times, but I understand that is part of a process.”

Mr Murrell, a 58-year-old senior SNP figure, was arrested on Wednesday morning in connection with a long-running Police Scotland investigation into the spending of about £600,000 which was raised for Scottish independence campaigning.

Get the latest on the SNP probe below:

For almost a decade Peter Murrell and Nicola Sturgeon were the husband and wife team in charge of the SNP.

But now Mr Murrell is at the centre of an SNP finance investigation and has been arrested by Police Scotland in connection with the ongoing probe into the party’s financing.

Claims that the SNP and police were “in cahoots” over the timing of Peter Murrell’s arrest have been dismissed as a conspiracy theory by new party leader, Humza Yousaf.

Police detained Mr Murrell and searched the home he shares with his wife Nicola Sturgeon as part of an investigation into how £600,000, earmarked for an independence campaign, was spent.

Nicola Sturgeon has revealed she has not been quizzed by police following her husband’s arrest over the handling of SNP finances.

When asked at a press conference if she had been questioned, the former first minister said: “I haven’t but I will fully cooperate with the police … if they do.”

She would not comment further.

Nicola Sturgeon has said her husband Peter Murrell is “not able to say anything” about his arrest in an investigation into SNP finances.

Mr Murrell, who is the party’s former chief executive, was arrested on Wednesday.

Ms Sturgeon told reporters outside her Glasgow home: “Peter’s at home as you would expect it to be. Peter’s not able to say anything.

“Again, that’s not necessarily a matter of choice. That’s just the nature of this.”

Nicola Sturgeon has asked for a “little bit of privacy in my own home” following her husband Peter Murrell’s arrest in a police investigation into SNP finances.

Speaking outside her home near Glasgow she said: “I’m also entitled to a little bit of privacy in my own home, and my neighbours I think are also entitled to a wee bit of privacy as well.

“Over the years, as a result of living next door to me, they’ve been subjected to more than their fair share of disruption and inconvenience.

“And that has obviously been particularly the case over the last couple of years.

“So as all of you do your jobs, I hope and I know you’ll get some respect to that. So that’s really all I needed to say.”

Former SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon has said that there is “nothing” she can say about the ongoing investigation into her party’s finances.

Speaking outside her home near Glasgow, she told reporters: “Well first off, there is obviously nothing I can say about the ongoing investigation.

“As much as there are things I may want to say, I’m not able to do so, other than to say that, as has been the case, there will continue to be full cooperation.

“The last few days have been obviously difficult, quite dramatic at times, but I understand that is part of a process.”

Accountancy firm Johnston Carmichael told the party that it took the decision after reviewing its client portfolio.

Earlier we reported that Mike Russell, the SNP president, said his party was facing the biggest crisis in 50 years following the arrest of Peter Murrel.

In an interview with The Herald newspaper, Mr Russell said recent weeks had been “wearing” for the SNP, which recently selected Humza Yousaf to succeed Ms Sturgeon as party leader.

He said: “In my 50-year association with the party this is the biggest and most challenging crisis we’ve ever faced, certainly while we’ve been in government.

“But I have an obligation to this party and the movement for Scottish independence that’s been such a massive part of my life for so long.”

He continued: “I don’t think independence can be secured right now; we need to work towards some coordinated campaigning.

“But I think this is achievable. My main focus is how we can create a new Yes movement that allows for different visions but conducted in an atmosphere of mutual trust.”