Nicola Sturgeon's husband Peter Murrell seen in public for first time since Police Scotland SNP probe arrest

Former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell has been seen in public for the first time since he was arrested and released by police.

The husband of former first minister Nicola Sturgeon was seen leaving his Uddingston home in a black Peugeot 208 on Thursday morning.

Murrell was arrested on April 5 by police and was later released without charge, pending further investigation.

It marked the first time Police Scotland had detained someone during Operation Branchform, the name of the force’s investigation into the SNP’s funding and finances.

Following Murrell’s arrest earlier this month, police launched searches on his home – which he shares with Sturgeon – as well as the SNP’s headquarter’s in Edinburgh.

Officers erected a large tent as well as screens around parts of the house and were seen carrying spades in the back garden, although it’s not known why.

It was later revealed a luxury motorhome was taken from outside Murrell’s mother’s house.

The SNP then clarified the vehicle was to be used as an election battlebus during the 2021 Holyrood election.

Murrell’s appearance comes just a day after the SNP’s former treasurer was arrested and released, also pending further investigation.

MSP Colin Beattie later quit as SNP treasurer and also resigned from his role on the Scottish Parliament’s Public Audit Committee.

As SNP leader, Humza Yousaf is now in charge of the party’s finances as it looks for a new treasurer.

Beattie had been the party’s treasurer for nearly 20 years.

The First Minister said he hopes to soon appoint someone to what is usually an elected position.

He said: “We’ll appoint a treasurer in the coming days, but of course, as party leader, I’ll make sure I’m overseeing the finances of the party. But we’ll appoint a new national treasurer as soon as we can.”