Nicola Sturgeon wants to project a more open image, body language expert Judi James says (Image: Getty)

       Nicola Sturgeon is trying to suggest she has "nothing to hide" with her body language, an expert has said. Scotland's former First Minister spoke briefly to reporters outside the home in Glasgow that she shares with her husband, Peter Murrell, on Friday (April 19).

       Mr Murrell, 59, a former chief executive of the SNP, was charged on Thursday by police in connection with the alleged embezzlement of funds.

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       The development came more than a year after Mr Murrell was originally arrested, but later released without charge, as part of Operation Branchform which is probing the spending of more than ￡600,000 in donations for independence campaigning.

       He was re-arrested by officers from Police Scotland, with the force confirming yesterday evening he had been charged as part of the investigation.

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       Ms Sturgeon, speaking to the media outside the couple's home in Glasgow, said the situation was "incredibly difficult".

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       Nicola Sturgeon appeals for privacy (Image: PA Images)

       Body language expert Judi James told Express.co.uk that Ms Sturgeon seemed to appeal for calm through her gestures.

       She said: "Almost exactly a year ago Sturgeon stood on the same spot giving an impromptu press interview and her body language was surprising. Saying she intended to 'get on with my job' she placed one arm diagonally across her torso in what was an out of character and deeply emphatic barrier gesture, which looked like a schoolboy error from a woman whose body language delivery is normally impeccable."

       Ms James said that Ms Sturgeon now seems to have taken note of the fact gestures such as that can suggest a desire to hide or to self-protect and has instead adopted a pose "presumably" intended to project a more open image.

       She added: "Her brows are raised and her facial features suggest reasonably good humour. Both hands are held out away from her torso with the empty hand showing palm-upward which, with the raised brows, would normally be performed to suggest someone has nothing to hide."

       The expert said that another full body image of Ms Sturgeon shows her right hand held lower and palm-down and this, combined with her widened eyes, suggested a desire for calm.

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       Nicola Sturgeon says the situation is 'incredibly difficult' (Image: Getty)

       Asked how the last 24 hours had been, Ms Sturgeon told reporters: "It's incredibly difficult, but that's not the main issue. I can't say anymore. I'm not going to say any more."

       With Mr Murrell now having resigned his membership of the SNP, Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf reacted on Friday to what he described as "serious, serious developments".

       The SNP leader said: "As per the police statement, it is a very serious development. As per the police statement, it's an allegation of embezzlement from the party. That's really serious indeed."

       Mr Yousaf added: "Many people in the SNP, right across Scottish politics, will be shocked by the news."

       The First Minister said he only became aware the former party official had been charged "when the news broke" adding he found out "just like anybody else who was watching the news at the time".

       He stressed the SNP would "allow the police to conduct their inquiries, conclude their inquiries" in what he said was an "ongoing investigation".

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       The former First Minister's husband has been charged with embezzlement of SNP funds (Image: Getty)

       Meanwhile, he insisted he was focused on his job running the Scottish Government, saying: "Police, the Crown have a job to do, just as I have a job to do as First Minister.

       "That job, of course, is ensuring that I support business, that I help households throughout the cost-of-living crisis, that I help to cut waiting times in the NHS, that I advance the cause of independence. So that's the job that you can imagine I'm focused on."

       Police Scotland said in a statement issued yesterday: "A 59-year-old man has today, Thursday, April 18 been charged in connection with the embezzlement of funds from the Scottish National Party. The man, who was arrested at 9.13am today and had previously been arrested as a suspect on April 5, 2023, was charged at 6.35pm after further questioning by Police Scotland detectives investigating the funding and finances of the party.

       "A report will be sent to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service in due course. The man is no longer in police custody. As this investigation is ongoing we are unable to comment further.

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       "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."

       Ms Sturgeon, who resigned as first minister and SNP leader in February last year, was arrested two months after her husband was first arrested. Former party treasurer Colin Beattie was also arrested the same year.

       Both Ms Sturgeon and Mr Beattie were released without charge pending further investigation.

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