Gregory Hoare

'If she says she knew nothing, then clearly the police believed her, we should believe her too.' Kate Higgins, who worked as a special adviser to Nicola Sturgeon, defends her former boss. She calls former SNP Chief Exec Peter Murrell 'devious'

A further statement has been issued by Nicola Sturgeon: “Today the media is reporting details of items that my former husband has now admitted buying with SNP funds. I have seen questions raised about how I could not have known about this. I want to reiterate that I had no 1/5

Response from Nicola Sturgeon posted to her social media: “My reaction to the guilty plea tendered today by my former husband is difficult to put into words. I am angry, hurt, sad and very distressed about the impact of his actions on family, friends and the SNP. To be deceived and let down by a husband I loved and trusted has caused me acute pain. Why he acted as he did is, and always will be, beyond my comprehension. To be clear: I had no knowledge or suspicion whatsoever that he was using SNP funds for personal purposes. I am utterly appalled that he did so and cannot begin to understand why. That I was fully cleared after a thorough investigation underlines that these are not my crimes. I was misled just as others were. I know that there will be political discussion in light of what has happened, and I understand why. However, for me this has also been a profound personal trauma. I need to remain focussed on recovering from that and building a new phase of life. I will be making no further comment.”

NEW: The SNP’s former chief executive, and estranged husband of Nicola Sturgeon, pleads guilty to embezzlement of more than £400k of party funds. Peter Murrell was handcuffed in court and is being held on remand to appear again on 23 June for sentencing. @itvnews

Peter Murrell arrives at court in Edinburgh. He is accused of embezzling £459,000 from the SNP. This hearing had been scheduled to take place before the Holyrood election earlier this month, but was moved until after the vote.

Activists released from Israeli custody after being detained on a flotilla trying to bring aid to Gaza were subjected to abuse, organizers said, with several hospitalized with injuries and some reporting sexual assaults, including rape reut.rs/3RUmJ42

Southampton have to go into full Mea Culpa mode. Written reasons into Spygate are so damning. “Junior members of staff were put under pressure to carry out activities which they felt were, at the least, morally wrong.” Shameful. No more arrogance, no more passive-aggressive statements. Just front up. Club rightly and widely vilified for the conduct of some within over Spygate and for the inept handling of the fall-out. Only when Tonda Eckert goes can the rebuilding of a damaged reputation begin. Only when the owner Dragan Solak addresses a fans’ forum, takes fans’ questions, and also address widespread external criticism can any trust or respect begin to return. Club cannot put CEO Phil Parsons up for interview following his misguided statement on the day of the appeal. He’s damaged. Solak has to talk: to restore some faith amongst shocked staff; to persuade those fans thinking of not renewing season tickets or memberships to give them another chance; to give angry fans hope that their club has someone competent at the helm of a listing ship; and perhaps to dissuade some players from jumping ship. Also, from a commercial perspective, Solak has to reassure sponsors: 19 partners, including a bank, law company and GPS-tracking company and 13 regional partners who may, understandably, worry about the damage to the club and to themselves by association. It's a long road back for Saints and it has to start with Solak leading the way. #SaintsFC

Disgusting

I am truly appalled at the video posted by Israeli Cabinet Minister Ben-Gvir taunting those involved in the Global Sumud Flotilla. This violates the most basic standards of respect and dignity in the way people should be treated. We are in touch with the families of a number of British nationals involved to provide them with consular support. We have demanded an explanation from the Israeli authorities and made clear their obligations to protect the rights of our citizens and all those involved.

Conservative peer Lord Alister Jack says Labour should stick with Keir Starmer. Former Scottish Secretary knows about being in the bunker when a Prime Minister's in peril, having been one of Boris Johnson's closest allies. He says constantly changing PM is 'damaging' to UK

Damning. A miserable day for football here

NEW: Andy Burnham confirms to ITV he wants to rejoin the EU in future But he says he doesn’t want to advocate that at this by-election (presumably because it’s a very pro-Leave seat) “In the long-term there is a case for that, but I'm not advocating that in this by-election”

Absurd, unjust and all too predictable

Anas Sarwar won't say who he'd back to replace Keir Starmer. He says: 'I'm not interested in the personalities.' The Scottish Labour leader also declines to repeat his call for the Prime Minister to quit, saying 'I've made clear my position'.

🔺Excl: Reform UK leader Nigel Farage bought a £1.4 million property in cash shortly after receiving a £5 million personal gift from billionaire donor Christopher Harborne, according to property records seen by Sky News. Reform spox: "The offer and process for purchase of this property commenced before the gift". Full story 👇 news.sky.com/story/nigel-fa…

I ask Anas Sarwar about Labour chaos at Westminster. Says he’s focused on Holyrood.

This might be the worst VAR decision I’ve seen (and there’s a lot of competition). Extraordinary given the significance.

'I am a member of the cabinet, and I am supporting him' Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander backs the Prime Minister. He doesn't comment on reports Wes Streeting is set to challenge Keir Starmer's leadership

'We can't afford for the chaos and paralysis at Westminster to go on any longer' New @theSNP Westminster leader @DaveDooganSNP explains why the SNP are attempting to force a vote on the Prime Minister's future