THE Scottish Government will not provide a "running commentary" on the investigation into the SNP's finances, Health Secretary Michael Matheson has said.
The MSP for Falkirk West only replaced his predecessor, and now first minister Humza Yousaf, last week, did however concede that it was a "difficult time" for the party.
We previously told how Peter Murrell, former SNP chief executive and Nicola Sturgeon's husband, was arrested on Wednesday morning.
Officers were seen searching the Murrell-Sturgeon residence in Uddingston, South Lanarkshire, and SNP HQ in Edinburgh on Wednesday afternoon.
Murrell was released without charge just before 7pm on Wednesday evening, with Sturgeon later cancelling an appearance at the Edinburgh Science Festival on Thursday night.
Police officers remained at the residence conducting a further search on Thursday.
Speaking during a visit to an NHS 24 call centre in Glasgow, Matheson said: “There’s a live police investigation here and I think the important thing is that we give the police the space that they need – without a running commentary – as part of their investigation.
“I don’t intend to be providing a running commentary around that.
“What I’ve been very clear about – and what the party has been very clear about – is that the party will comply with any requests made by the police for information.”
He added: “I think it’s important that I acknowledge – and the First Minister acknowledged this yesterday – it’s a difficult time for the party at the present moment, given this investigation, but it’s important we allow the police to get on with their job and to carry out a very thorough and detailed investigation, and see what the outcome of that is.”
Murrell was “released without charge pending further investigation” on Wednesday evening, after being held in custody for 12 hours.
Police Scotland confirmed a report will be sent to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, and again advised the public to exercise caution if discussing the active investigation on social media.
We told how SNP supporters are calling for people to donate to the party in the wake of Murrell's arrest.
