Police said he has been charged in connection with the embezzlement of funds from the party.

The former SNP chief executive, 59, was questioned by detectives after being taken into Police Scotland custody on Thursday at 9.13am.

He remained in police custody until he was charged just after 6.30pm.

Murrell has since been released from custody.

A report will be sent to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service in due course.

The police investigation into the party's funding and finances has been ongoing for years.

It has been dubbed Operation Branchform.

Murrell became chief executive of the SNP in 2001, and stepped down from the role in 2023.

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He has been married to Ms Sturgeon - who resigned as first minister in February last year - since 2010.

Murrell has resigned his SNP membership.

An SNP spokesperson said: "While this development will come as a shock, the police investigation remains ongoing and it would, therefore, be inappropriate to make any comment."