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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Lynn Love

Police search garden and BBQ at Nicola Sturgeon's home amid SNP finance probe

Police have searched the back garden and a BBQ at Nicola Sturgeon's home this afternoon following the arrest of her husband Peter Murrell.

The 58-year-old was arrested in connection with an investigation into the funding and finances of theScottish National Party.

The couple's home in Uddingston, Lanarkshire, was raided by officers at around 8am on Wednesday, and a blue police tent was erected in the driveway.

POLICE STURGEON HOUSE Pictured is Scottish Police Activity out Side Nicola Sturgeon House (former first minister and head of SNP ) Pic Ross Turpie / Daily Record Sunday Mail Reach PLC (Ross Turpie / Daily Record Sunday Mail Reach PLC)

Peter Murrell, the former Chief Executive of the Scottish National Party, has been arrested (PA)

When police arrived at 7.35am Nicola Sturgeon was there and was then seen leaving.

Pictures taken from the scene show forensic teams combing through the couple's back garden.

Officers were seen pulling a black cover off a BBQ and looking inside.

Neighbours reported seeing a heavy police presence descend on the quiet street at 8am.

She said: “When I first saw the volume of police and the tent being erected I thought someone had been hurt. It was like a murder scene.

“It was quite a shock. There was even armed police here at one point. I then noticed them laying mats down outside a car at the house."

Another neighbour said: "They’re searching everywhere and have been for the last few hours.

"I saw them pulling out a box and taking it inside."

The SNP's head office in Edinburgh was also raided by police as part of a wider investigation into party finances.

A statement from the force said: “A 58-year-old man has today, Wednesday, 5 April 2023, been arrested as a suspect in connection with the ongoing investigation into the funding and finances of the Scottish National Party.

“The man is in custody and is being questioned by Police Scotland detectives. Officers are also carrying out searches at a number of addresses as part of the investigation.

“A report will be sent to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.

“The matter is active for the purposes of the Contempt of Court Act 1981 and the public are therefore advised to exercise caution if discussing it on social media. As the investigation is ongoing we are unable to comment further.”

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