Humza Yousaf hits out at ‘conspiracy theory’ over arrest

Humza Yousaf admits 'challenging' time for SNP

Humza Yousaf today dismissed claims that the SNP and police were “in cahoots” over the timing of Nicola Sturgeon’s husband’s arrest as a “conspiracy theory”. Officers yesterday swooped in on the Glasgow home Peter Murrell shares with the former Scottish First Minister as part of an investigation into the party’s finances.

Mr Murrell, the former chief executive of the party, was released on Wednesday evening without charge, pending further investigation.

Speaking at Bute House today, Mr Yousaf said it was “very, very clear that the governance of the party was not as it should be”.

Asked if the SNP leadership election would have been affected by Mr Murrell’s arrest had it happened while it was taking place, the new Scottish First Minister said: “To me, that sounds like a bit of a conspiracy theory that somehow we are in cahoots with Police Scotland.

“The timing of an investigation is absolutely for Police Scotland, that’s not determined by anybody else.”

Mr Yousaf admitted the arrest of Mr Murrell and the bitter SNP leadership race, which concluded last week, have had an impact on the nationalist party.

The SNP leader said: “There’s no doubt the last few weeks and the events of yesterday have been difficult and bruising for the party.

“But there’s also an opportunity – with a new leader in place and a new chief executive in place, generally a next generation coming through.

“You’ve seen that with my cabinet, you’ve seen, of course, the Westminster leadership in terms of Stephen Flynn and Mhairi Black.

“There’s a huge opportunity for us to re-energise, to refresh, and to make sure we are being as bold and as ambitious as we possibly can be for the people of Scotland.”

Mr Yousaf’s comments come as the search of Mr Murrell and Ms Sturgeon’s home entered a second day today as part of an investigation into how £600,000, earmarked for an independence campaign, was spent.

Several uniformed police officers remained stationed outside the house this afternoon.

Ms Sturgeon, who announced her shock resignation in February, cancelled a planned appearance at a climate change event in Edinburgh this evening.

Her spokesperson said she wanted to “keep the focus of the event on the critical issue of the climate emergency”.

The former Scottish First Minister said through the spokesperson that she would “fully co-operate if required” with police following her husband’s arrest.

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