Nicola Sturgeon breaks silence after husband Peter Murrell charged (Image: GETTY)

       Nicola Sturgeon said the situation has been "incredibly difficult" after her husband, former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell, was charged in connection with alleged embezzlement of funds.

       Speaking to media outside her home in Glasgow on Friday Ms Sturgeon said "I can't say any more".

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       She asked for peace for her neighbours before leaving by car.

       The former First Minister of Scotland was wearing Nike activewear and looking dishevelled as she spoke to the press.

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       READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon's husband charged in connection with embezzlement of SNP funds

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       Current SNP leader and First Minister of Scotland Humza Yousaf said today it was "right" Mr Murrell was suspended from the party.

       Asked whether Peter Murrell should have been suspended from the party before he had the chance to resign, Mr Yousaf said: "Well, again, you're right, he's resigned his membership of the SNP and I already commented before when he was of course first arrested.

       "Of course, we've continued to allow the police to conduct their inquiries, conclude their inquiries where necessary before taking any further action, but it's right to say that Peter Murrell of course has resigned his SNP membership."

       Mr Yousaf said he first became aware late on Thursday evening.

       Nicola Sturgeon speaks to reporters outside her home in Uddingston, Glasgow (Image: GETTY)

       The party leader added: "Many people in the SNP, right across Scottish politics will be shocked by the news and this is an ongoing investigation.

       "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."

       He added: "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, embezzlement of funds from the party. That's really serious indeed."

       Peter Murrell outside his home in Glasgow (Image: GETTY)

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       Scottish Conservatives chairman Craig Hoy urged the SNP to "fully cooperate" as the investigation continues.

       He said: "The announcement that Peter Murrell has been charged by Police Scotland is an extremely serious development in the investigation into the SNP's finances.

       "As the police probe continues, it is now more important than ever that all SNP staff and politicians, past and present, fully co-operate.

       "The investigation, which has been going on for three years, appears to be reaching a conclusion and the SNP must commit to being fully open and transparent in this critical phase."

       Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf has spoken out on the developments (Image: GETTY)

       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."

       Murrell's charge is part of a probe known as Operation Branchform into the spending of more than ￡600,000 in donations for independence campaigning.

       Police Scotland said in a statement: "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.

       "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."