Nicola Sturgeon's neighbours have told of their shock after the former first minister was arrested in connection with the ongoing probe into the funding and finances of the SNP.
The 52-year-old's home in Uddingston appeared to be empty and there was no answer when the Record knocked on the door on Sunday afternoon. The arrest comes after her husband and former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell was previously arrested in April.
There was no police presence outside the home on Sunday. A number of members of the press and television crews arrived outside the property after the news broke shortly after 2pm.
A police van passed by the home on two occasions shortly before 4pm, but it continued up the road passed the property.
Neighbours told of their shock after saying they found out Sturgeon had been arrested on the news.
One neighbour, who lives across the road, said: "There have been no police about today.
"The first we heard of the arrest was on the news. It was such a shock.
Another neighbour said: “It is so difficult to hear about Nicola being arrested. It’s not something we were expecting to hear about, if I am honest. “We are fond of her. We saw media gathering outside so we presumed something had happened, then we checked the news. It has come as a bit of a shock to us.”
A third said: "She must have been arrested somewhere else as there have been no police here."
A fourth added: "I've been in the house all day but we've not seen anything."
A spokesperson for Sturgeon said that she voluntarily attended an interview with Police Scotland. The former first minister is in custody and is being questioned by detectives.
The spokesperson confirmed that the 52-year-old had been arrested and said that she would co-operate with the investigation.
They said: "Nicola Sturgeon has today, Sunday 11th June, by arrangement with Police Scotland, attended an interview where she was to be arrested and questioned in relation to Operation Branchform.
"Nicola has consistently said she would co-operate with the investigation if asked and continues to do so."
The SNP said it could not comment as the investigation is ongoing but that it has been co-operating fully.
An SNP spokesperson 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."
The Scottish Government has declined to comment.
Both Murrell and MSP Colin Beattie, who was the party's treasurer at the time, have previously been arrested as part of the investigation.
Both men were released without charge pending further inquiry.
As well as the arrests, searches were carried out at a number of properties, including Murrell and Sturgeon’s home – where a police tent was erected in the garden – and SNP headquarters in Edinburgh.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "A 52-year-old woman has today, Sunday, June 11, 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 will be sent to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.
"The matter is 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."
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