Sturgeon released pending probe into SNP’s £660k referendum donations
Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s former first minister, has been released without charge pending further investigations following her arrest in connection with the ongoing inquiry into the SNP’s funding and finances. Sturgeon was questioned by detectives and later released from custody. In a statement, she expressed certainty of her innocence and described the situation as “shocking and deeply distressing.”
Police have been investigating the whereabouts of £660,000 in donations given to the SNP by independence activists for use in a future independence referendum campaign. Sturgeon’s release means that she could be re-arrested at a later date if necessary. Following her release, she took to Twitter, thanking people for their messages of support and her family for providing strength during this time.
Sturgeon was succeeded as first minister and SNP leader in March by Humza Yousaf, who is now facing calls from opposition politicians and at least one of his own MPs, Angus MacNeil, to suspend her from the party. MacNeil tweeted, “This soap-opera has gone far enough, Nicola Sturgeon suspended others from the SNP for an awful lot less!”
The arrest comes after the arrest of Sturgeon’s husband, former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell, on April 5 and the party’s treasurer Colin Beattie, both of whom were also released pending further investigations. The investigation, known as Operation Branchform, began after complaints were made about what happened to £666,954 donated to the SNP for a future independence referendum campaign.
Sturgeon announced her resignation as SNP leader and first minister in February, with Humza Yousaf winning the contest to replace her in March. Sturgeon has denied that the timing of her resignation was influenced by the ongoing police investigation. She remains the longest-serving first minister in Scotland and the only woman to have held the position.
In her statement, Sturgeon vehemently denied any wrongdoing and pledged to return to Holyrood soon. However, questions remain about her continued membership of the SNP, as some, including one of the party’s own MPs, have been questioning.
