Former SNP Chief Executive Peter Murrell has been released without charge pending further investigation, Police Scotland said.
Murrell, 58, who is married to Nicola Sturgeon, spent almost 12 hours in custody following his arrest in connection with an investigation into the party’s finances earlier on Wednesday.
In a statement shortly before he was released, Ms Sturgeon has said she had “no prior knowledge” of plans to arrest her husband.
A spokesperson for the former Scottish first minister said: “It would not be appropriate to comment on a live police investigation.
“Nicola Sturgeon had no prior knowledge of Police Scotland’s action or intentions.
“Ms Sturgeon will fully cooperate with Police Scotland if required however at this time no such request has been made.”
Murrell, a former SNP chief executive, was taken into police custody on Wednesday morning in connection with an investigation into the political party’s funding and finances.
Police Scotland has been investigating the spending of about £600,000 which was earmarked for Scottish independence campaigning.
It is understood there have been complaints the ringfenced cash has been used improperly by being spent elsewhere.
Earlier, a blue tent was set up in the front garden of the house belonging to Mr Murrell and Ms Sturgeon in Glasgow, with police taping the area off.
In the afternoon officers could be seen in the back garden, one of whom was carrying two spades, although it is unclear why.
The officers were seen to open a small shed and a storage box, while a police photographer was seen to be documenting the search.
Police were also seen removing large green boxes from the SNP’s Edinburgh headquarters and stacking them into vans.
It comes just a week after Humza Yousaf was legally sworn in as Scotland’s sixth first minister – replacing Ms Sturgeon after her shock resignation in February.
In one of her last interviews, the former SNP leader told Sky News the ongoing probe – and the pressure on her and her husband as a result – did not play a part in her departure.
She also said she had “not heard” whether her husband had been asked to talk to detectives.
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Murrell hasn’t been seen in public since he sensationally quit his senior role last month following a damaging secrecy row over party membership numbers.
Nicola Sturgeon and Peter Murrell
The 58-year-old has been married Ms Sturgeon since 2010.
The SNP said in a statement: “Clearly it would not be appropriate to comment on any live police investigation, but the SNP have been co-operating fully with this investigation and will continue to do so.
“At its meeting on Saturday, the governing body of the SNP, the NEC, agreed to a review of governance and transparency – that will be taken forward in the coming weeks.”
