Nicola Sturgeon: Scotland’s ex-first minister in custody after being arrested in reference to SNP investigation

Nicola Sturgeon is in custody after being arrested in reference to the investigation into the Scottish National Party’s funds.

Scotland’s former first minister and ex-SNP chief was detained as a suspect and is at the moment being questioned by detectives.

A Police Scotland assertion mentioned: “A 52-year-old woman has today, Sunday, 11 June, 2023, been arrested as a suspect in connection with the ongoing investigation into the funding and finances of the Scottish National Party.”

“The woman is in custody and is being questioned by Police Scotland detectives.

“A report shall be despatched to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.”

A spokesperson for Ms Sturgeon mentioned: “Nicola Sturgeon has today, Sunday 11 June, by arrangement with Police Scotland, attended an interview where she was to be arrested and questioned in relation to Operation Branchform.

“Nicola has persistently mentioned she would co-operate with the investigation if requested and continues to take action.”

Scotland’s former first minister is the newest high-profile determine within the occasion to be detained as a part of Police Scotland’s Operation Branchform into the whereabouts of £600,000 of funding that had been earmarked for a second independence vote.

It is known there have been complaints the ringfenced money could have been used improperly by being spent elsewhere.

Her arrest comes on the again of the detentions of party treasurer Colin Beattie and former occasion chief govt Peter Murrell – additionally Ms Sturgeon’s husband – who have been each subsequently launched with out cost.

Police beforehand searched the SNP headquarters and Ms Sturgeon and Mr Murrell’s residence as a part of the investigation.

A luxurious £100,000 motorhome was additionally seized from outdoors the house of Mr Murrell’s mom in Dunfermline, Fife.

The SNP has mentioned it has been “cooperating fully” with the investigation and would “continue to do so”.

Ms Sturgeon’s arrest will intensify the scandal that has engulfed Scotland’s largest political occasion simply months after she stood down as party leader and first minister in February.

At the time, Ms Sturgeon mentioned she was quitting as a result of the job “takes its toll on you and all around you”.

She she mentioned she believed a part of “serving well would be to know almost instinctively when the time is right” to step down, including: “In my head and in my heart I know that time is now, that it is right for me and my party and for the country.”

But months later, Mr Murrell was arrested – creating a way of turmoil that has overshadowed the brand new management of Humza Yousaf, who was elected to replace Ms Sturgeon in a bitter and divisive leadership race in March.

Mr Yousaf beforehand mentioned he was unaware the SNP owned a £100,000 motorhome till he turned occasion chief.

He additionally admitted that he was unaware that the SNP’s longstanding auditors, Johnston Carmichael, had stop in September 2022 following a evaluation of their shopper portfolio till he turned occasion chief.

The occasion had been under pressure to find new auditors with a view to file its accounts with the Electoral Commission by 7 July or threat being fined.

Last month Mr Yousaf confirmed the SNP had signed a contract with a new auditor greater than half a yr after the earlier agency stop.

Labour’s shadow Scotland secretary Ian Murray MP mentioned Ms Sturgeon’s arrest was a “deeply concerning development”.

“The Police Scotland investigation must be allowed to proceed without interference.

“For too lengthy, a tradition of secrecy and cover-up has been allowed to fester on the coronary heart of the SNP.

“The same culture that leads to police tents in front gardens created the deeply dysfunctional government that is currently failing Scots.

“Humza Yousaf should urgently come clear on what he is aware of – the folks of Scotland deserve solutions.”