HUMZA Yousaf has reacted to the news that the SNP’s former chief executive Peter Murrell has been arrested.
The 58-year-old is in custody and is being questioned by Police Scotland detectives.
The First Minister told journalist Alan Smith: “As you’ll understand I can’t comment on a live police investigation but what I can say and what reassurance I absolutely can give is that the SNP have been fully co-operating in that police investigation and will continue to do so.
“The party agreed at my first NEC as party leader that we’d instruct a review into governance and transparency with some external input so we’ll give the full details of that in the coming weeks.”
NEW: Reaction from First Minister @HumzaYousaf to the arrest of Peter Murrell this morning pic.twitter.com/qRR1R2ykwt
— Alan Smith (@Political_AlanS) April 5, 2023
Officers are carrying out searches at a number of addresses as part of their investigation.
Asked when he was made aware of the arrest, Yousaf said: “This morning after the event and I think that’s really important for me to stress.
“Of course I am following it just as much as anybody else is but as I keep saying the party will fully cooperate as has already been reported for example.
“We know police are at party headquarters and they will not be impeded in any way shape or form in terms of their investigation.”
Police were also photographed standing outside of a police cordon at Murrell's home in Uddingston, with a blue and white tent covering the front entrance.
READ MORE: Contempt of Court: What can't media report on Peter Murrell's arrest?
In an interview with the PA News Agency, Yousaf was asked if he had looked at the SNP's finances or noticed any irregularities.
He said: "Of course as party leader I will know the financial state and health of the party.
"As I’ve already made it clear, one of the first things I did, as you can imagine, was talking to our party lawyers around about the current live police investigation.
"Look, I’ve never been an office bearer in the party, I’ve never had any role in the party finances. Therefore there’s an opportunity with new leadership to make sure we are being transparent, we’re being open, that’s what the NEC agreed to in terms of its review, and external input feeding into that I think is important.”
A force spokesperson said: "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."
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article