Good evening. Nicola Sturgeon's husband Peter Murrell, the former SNP chief executive, has been arrested following an investigation into the party's finances. We also have the latest news from the US, as Donald Trump called for Republicans to defund the FBI.
Peter Murrell: Nicola Sturgeon's trusty sidekick who helped propel the SNP to power
For more than a decade, Peter Murrell has been one of the most powerful people in Scottish politics.
The SNP’s previously long-serving chief executive was one of the key figures in transforming a party many saw as a laughing stock into the dominant force in Scottish politics, write Daniel Sanderson and Patrick Sawer.
It was the party’s former leader Alex Salmond who ensured Mr Murrell became SNP chief executive in 1999.
The SNP won power at Holyrood in 2007 and a majority four years later, securing an independence referendum in 2014. Despite playing a leading role in taking the party to the brink of its defining mission, however, Mr Murrell shunned the limelight.
Although an affable and ever-present feature at party conferences, he earned the nickname 'Penfold', - find out why by reading the full profile of Mr Murrell.
Sturgeon 'not at home when police sealed off property'
Detectives sealed off Mr Murrell's Glasgow home to search the property and have also visited the SNP's headquarters in Edinburgh.
Eyewitnesses told The Telegraph that Ms Sturgeon was not at her home on the outskirts of Glasgow when police arrived on Wednesday morning.
It is understood that a large police crime scene tent outside the property has been put up to protect the integrity of the investigation, write Will Bolton and Daniel Sanderson.
It comes as Police Scotland investigate the spending of around £600,000 which was earmarked for Scottish independence campaigning. You can follow the latest developments on our live blog.
'Defund the FBI', demands Donald Trump
Donald Trump has called for Republicans in Congress to defund the Department of Justice and the FBI “until they come to their senses”, less than a day after his arrest.
Jamie Bullen details how the world reacted to Mr Trump's historic court appearance.
And Roland Oliphant explains the curious lovechild claim hidden in the case against the former president. Posting on his social media site, Truth Social, Mr Trump said: “Republicans in Congress should defund the DOJ and FBI until they come to their senses.
The Democrats have totally weaponised law enforcement in our country and are viciously using this abuse of power to interfere with our elections!” Get up to speed with today's developments on our US live blog.
Evening Briefing: Today's essential headlines
Migrant barge deal | The Home Office has confirmed it has leased a barge to accommodate approximately 500 migrants in Portland Port in Dorset. Read more on our politics live blog.
- Cybercrime | Police shut down website selling millions of passwords
- Infected blood scandal | Families of victims should be compensated, inquiry rules
- Italy | Silvio Berlusconi 'in intensive care'
- Education | Invite drag queens into schools, says teachers’ union
- Australia | Cleo Smith kidnapper beat her when she asked for chocolate
Comment and analysis
- Tim Stanley | The Democrats have made Donald Trump a star again
- Allison Pearson | Labour should hang their heads in shame over the grooming scandals
- Peter Lilley | Nigel Lawson was, like me, a British Gaullist who understood Brexit was necessary
- Emily Maitlis | The Trump I met loves combat – but it could be his downfall
- Paul Johnson | Britain’s economically damaging tax system is now indefensible
World news: Explosions heard in signs of Ukraine counter-offensive
Explosions have been heard in Russian-occupied Melitopol amid growing rumours that Ukraine is laying the groundwork for a counter-offensive. Maighna Nanu has the latest news on our Ukraine live blog.
Interview of the day
Jim Moir: ‘I said goodbye to Vic Reeves years and years ago’
He shot to fame as one half of Reeves and Mortimer but, as his Sky series with wife Nancy suggests, he’d rather paint than do panel shows
Business news: Even high earners face an extra decade of student loan repayments
Professionals face an extra decade of student loan repayments even if they achieve higher earner status. It means young workers will still be paying off their student loans well into middle age - Charlotte Gifford explains why in this story.
Editor's choice
Property | 'Chelsea-on-Sea' and the battle for Britain's seaside towns
Health | Why you’re constantly burnt out – and what to do about it
Defence | What Finland brings to Nato
Sport news: Maro Itoje and Marcus Smith latest England players to explore France moves
England stars Maro Itoje and Marcus Smith could be the latest high-profile players to abandon their international careers and explore high-income offers in France and Japan. Telegraph Sport understands that the two England internationals are weighing up options in France.
Today's Matt cartoon
Click here to see more from Matt.
And you can find today's political cartoon here.
Three things for you
- TV | Race Across the World, BBC One, 9pm
- Review | Lewis Capaldi, How I'm Feeling Now: fearlessly frank admissions from Britain's unlikeliest pop star
- Fashion | Too busy to plan your outfit? Try this simple rule for easy smart-casual dressing
And finally... for this evening's downtime
We went to London's newest attraction – and our jaws, quite genuinely, dropped | West London's BBC Earth Experience, narrated by David Attenborough, ticks the eco-friendly boxes, but fails when it comes to affordability, writes Hattie Garlick.
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