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.
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."
