Scottish National Party's chief executive resigns over membership row

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - Peter Murrell, chief executive of the Scottish National Party (SNP), on Saturday resigned after taking responsibility for misleading the media about party membership numbers.

The 58-year-old, who is married to Nicola Sturgeon, outgoing party leader and the first minister of Scotland, however, said "there was no intent to mislead."

"Responsibility for the SNP's responses to media queries about our membership number lies with me as chief executive," he said in a statement. "While there was no intent to mislead, I accept that this has been the outcome. I have therefore decided to confirm my intention to step down as chief executive with immediate effect."

This week the SNP confirmed there had been a big drop in membership numbers, which contradicted an earlier denial.

The numbers were revealed as Kate Forbes, Ash Regan and Humza Yousaf, contenders to replace Sturgeon, who resigned last month, said they wanted to know in advance how many party members were eligible to vote.

The move by Murrell, an influential figure in the party, came a day after the resignation of the SNP media chief Murray Foote.