Nicola Sturgeon has been released without charge pending further investigation. The former First Minister of Scotland voluntarily attended an interview with Police Scotland on Sunday (June 11).
It was after being arrested as part of the police's probe into the funding and finances of the SNP. Police Scotland said in a statement: “A 52-year-old woman who was arrested earlier today, Sunday, 11 June, 2023, as a suspect in connection with the ongoing investigation into the funding and finances of the Scottish National Party, has been released without charge pending further investigation.
“The woman was questioned by Police Scotland detectives after she was arrested at 10.09am. She was released from custody at 5.24pm. A report will be sent to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.
“The matter remains active for the purposes of the Contempt of Court Act 1981 and the public are therefore advised to exercise caution if discussing it on social media. As the investigation is ongoing we are unable to comment further.”
Ms Sturgeon, “by arrangement with Police Scotland, attended an interview where she was to be arrested and questioned in relation to Operation Branchform”, a spokeswoman for the ex-first minister said.
“Nicola has consistently said she would co-operate with the investigation if asked and continues to do so,” she said.
The former first minister’s arrest comes after her husband Peter Murrell was arrested in April. Mr Murrell and MSP Colin Beattie, who was SNP treasurer at the time, were both released without charge pending further inquiry.
As well as the arrests, searches were carried out at a number of properties, including Mr Murrell and Ms Sturgeon’s home – where a police tent was erected in the garden – and SNP headquarters in Edinburgh. The investigation – dubbed Operation Branchform – began in 2021.
It was opened after allegations £600,000 raised for campaigning towards Scottish independence was diverted elsewhere. Ms Sturgeon announced her resignation as first minister in February this year, saying it was not related to short-term pressures but because she knew in her “head and heart” the time was right to go.
Her husband stepped down as party chief executive during the leadership contest that followed. Humza Yousaf succeeded Ms Sturgeon as SNP leader and First Minister.
The SNP’s governing body, the national executive committee, agreed that a review of transparency and governance in the party should take place. Ms Sturgeon continues to be the MSP for Glasgow Southside.
Mr Beattie was arrested and interviewed later in April.
Following Ms Sturgeon’s arrest, a spokeswoman for the SNP said: “These issues are subject to a live police investigation. The SNP have been co-operating fully with this investigation and will continue to do so, however, it is not appropriate to publicly address any issues while that investigation is ongoing.”
Rival parties also commented on the arrest, with Labour’s shadow Scottish secretary Ian Murray saying: “This is a deeply concerning development and the Police Scotland investigation must be allowed to proceed without interference. For too long, a culture of secrecy and cover-up has been allowed to fester at the heart of the SNP.”
Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said: “It’s fair to say that today’s events will have huge ramifications both for the SNP and the future of Scottish politics.”
