Nicola Sturgeon has described her personal situation as “incredibly difficult” after her husband was charged in connection with the embezzlement of SNP funds.

Peter Murrell, who was chief executive of the party until March 2023, was rearrested on Thursday amid a long-running Police Scotland investigation into the SNP’s finances, dubbed Operation Branchform.

The 59-year-old remained in police custody until he was charged just after 6.30pm last night.

He was later released from custody, with a report set to be sent to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service in due course.

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Speaking to reporters outside her home in Glasgow for the first time since the charge, Ms Sturgeon – the former first minister of Scotland and ex-SNP leader – said there was “absolutely nothing I can say given the circumstances”.

But asked by Sky News’ Connor Gillies how difficult it was for her personally, she replied: “It is incredibly difficult, but that’s not the main issue here. So I can’t say anymore, I’m not going to say anymore.”

Humza Yousaf, Ms Sturgeon’s successor as leader of the SNP, said: “These are serious, serious developments. And as per the police statement, we now know that an individual has been charged, Peter has been charged, [with] the allegation of embezzlement from party funds, and that’s a really serious matter indeed.

“Many people in the SNP, right across Scottish politics, will be shocked by the news and this is an ongoing investigation.

“Police, the Crown have a job to do, just as I have a job to do as first minister.”

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Ms Sturgeon, who stood down as first minister last year, has been married to Mr Murrell since 2010.

An SNP spokesperson said: “While this development will come as a shock, the police investigation remains ongoing and it would, therefore, be inappropriate to make any comment.”

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