Humza Yousaf has mentioned he doesn't consider there was collusion between the police and media in the course of the investigation into the SNP's funds.
The first minister was talking after one among his backbench MSPs had accused the press of constructing a "big play" of the arrest of Nicola Sturgeon.
Former first minister Ms Sturgeon was questioned by police on Sunday as a part of Operation Branchform, which is wanting into what has occurred to cash raised by the get together for a second independence referendum.
Ms Sturgeon was released without charge, pending additional investigation, on Sunday night.
SNP MSP James Dornan claimed afterwards the "police and the media seem to have some kind of collusion about making sure that the media are in attendance when the slightest thing happens".
Police Scotland has denied the accusation, with a spokesman for the power saying: "Any suggestion that the media were informed in advance of an arrest is untrue."
Asked about Mr Dornan's feedback by journalists at Holyrood on Thursday, Mr Yousaf mentioned: "I don't believe that."
He mentioned he wouldn't remark additional "on a live investigation".
Read extra:Who is at the centre of the investigation?The inside story of SNP police probeTimeline of the SNP's woes
With experiences having recommended Mr Yousaf informed SNP MSPs to stop the get together if they don't again his decision to refrain from suspending Ms Sturgeon following her arrest, he added: "I've made it clear to the MSPs, and they are all united behind the fact that if you are advancing the cause of independence then we want you to be part of the group."
Mr Yousaf mentioned he has not spoken to Ms Sturgeon since she was arrested, along with his predecessor having launched a press release afterwards during which she insisted "beyond doubt" that she is "innocent of any wrongdoing".
Ms Sturgeon is the third high-profile SNP member to be arrested in reference to the probe.
Her husband, ex-SNP chief government Peter Murrell, and former SNP treasurer Colin Beattie had been each arrested and later launched with out cost again in April.
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