SCOTLAND’S EX-LEADER NICOLA STURGEON ARRESTED IN SNP FINANCE PROBE

Sun 11 June 2023:

Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has been arrested as part of the ongoing investigation into the SNP’s funding and finances. A 52-year-old lady was brought into custody as a suspect and is being questioned by detectives, according to police.

The arrest on Sunday was the third in the investigation, which has sent shockwaves through Scotland’s political system. Sturgeon’s husband, former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell, was arrested in April as part of the investigation.

The former SNP leader, who stood down in March, was then arrested and questioned by officers who have been investigating for the past two years what happened to more than £600,000 of donations given to the party by independence activists.

The spokeswoman said: “Nicola Sturgeon has today, Sunday 11 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 cooperate with the investigation if asked and continues to do so.”

Police Scotland said she was arrested at 10:09am (09:09 GMT) and released without charge at 5:24pm pending further investigation. “As the investigation is ongoing, we are unable to comment further,” it said.

Sturgeon’s husband, Peter Murrell, has long faced questions for allegedly diverting 600,000 British pounds ($754,000) in SNP donations intended to support its drive for Scottish independence.

He also failed to declare a personal loan of more than 100,000 British pounds ($125,700) to the SNP, which might violate political financial disclosure laws. He was eventually released without charge, pending the outcome of the investigation.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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