Nicola Sturgeon's house was searched after police allegedly waited two weeks for warrant to be approved
Police allegedly waited two weeks for approval of warrant to search Nicola Sturgeon's house
PA
Police Scotland waited two weeks for an arrest warrant to search Nicola Sturgeon’s home to be approved during the Scottish National Party leadership race, it has been alleged.
The Crown Office reportedly received the request on March 20 but it was not approved for another 14 days on April 3, according to The Scottish Sun.
A police response to a freedom of information request confirmed “that search warrant requests were made on March 20, 2023”.
It added that a sheriff granted them “on April 3, 2023”.
Peter Murrell's arrest and subsequent release was a part of Police Scotland's probe
PAOfficers eventually arrested Sturgeon’s husband Peter Murrell on April 5 after searching the couple’s Glasgow home.
The Crown has rejected suggestions that there was any kind of delay and Police Scotland declined to comment.
Scottish opposition parties said the revelation would "raise eyebrows".
They also questioned the role of Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC.
A police investigation resulted in the search of Nicola Sturgeon's home
PAThe Lord Advocate heads up the Crown Office but is also a Scottish Government minister.
Scots Tory MSP Russell Findlay said: “Given obvious sensitivities about alleged fraud relating to the party of government, and the husband of the former First Minister, it’s vital any issues about timings and procedures are made clear to the public.”
Murrell, 58, who served as chief executive of the SNP from 1999 to 2023, was questioned by detectives for 11 hours before being released without charge.
But Police Scotland continue with its investigation into allegations that the SNP misused ÂŁ600,000 of donations.
Humza Yousaf won the race to replace Nicola Sturgeon as SNP leader and First Minister
PAThe force also raided SNP HQ in Edinburgh and seized a luxury caravan from Murrell’s elderly mother’s driveway in Dunfermline.
Colin Beattie, who subsequently quit as SNP treasurer, was arrested on April 18 before also being released without charge pending further inquiries.
The SNP leadership contest, which was held after Sturgeon announced her intention to stand down as First Minister, concluded on March 27.
Ex-Health Secretary Humza Yousaf narrowly defeated former Finance Secretary Kate Forbes for the most coveted political post north of the border.
Edinburgh Eastern MSP Sarah Regan finished in a distant third-place.