A police investigation into funding for the Scottish National Party led to the arrest Nicola Sturgeon.
Nicola Sturgeon, former Scottish leader of the Scottish National Party was arrested as part an investigation on financial irregularities within the SNP. She was then released without being charged pending further investigations.
Peter Murrell was Sturgeon’s former SNP chief executive and was arrested as part of this investigation in April. This has sent shockwaves throughout Scotland’s politics.
Police Scotland reported that a woman aged 52 has been detained as suspect in an ongoing investigation of funding and finances for the Scottish National Party.
Sturgeon’s spokeswoman said that Sturgeon was cooperating in the investigation and had attended an interview with Police Scotland on her own accord.
Sturgeon tweeted: “To be in this situation today, when I’m certain I didn’t do anything wrong, is shocking and distressing. Sturgeon tweeted: “To find myself in the situation I did today – when I am certain that i have committed no offense – is both shocking and deeply distressing…
A process of this nature is too complex for me to go into detail. But I can say with certainty that I’m innocent.
Police Scotland reported that she was detained at 10:09am (9:09 GMT), and then released at 5:24pm without any charges pending a further investigation. As the investigation continues, it stated that they could not comment any further.
Transparency of funding
Murrell has been accused of diverting 600,000 British Pounds ($754,000), which were SNP contributions.
He also failed to disclose a loan to the SNP of over 100,000 British Pounds ($125,700). Later, the SNP released him without charges pending further investigations.
Colin Beattie was arrested as well in April.
Sturgeon announced her resignation earlier this month and made her final appearance at the Scottish Parliament on March.
I am human
Sturgeon’s detention is a major embarrassment for the SNP who campaign to end Scotland’s political union of three centuries with England.
SNP will continue its full cooperation with the investigation. “It is not appropriate for us to discuss any specific issues while the investigation is still ongoing,” an SNP spokesperson said.
When Murrell was arrested, the couple’s Glasgow home was taped off in blue and white.
Scotland’s longest serving leader, who announced her resignation last February. She said she was too divided to lead Scotland to independence.
Sturgeon admitted that, upon her departure from the position under high pressure, she could not give it “every last ounce” of energy.
She said, “I’m both a person and a political figure.”
