ormer first minister Nicola Sturgeon insisted “beyond doubt” she was “innocent of any wrongdoing” following her arrest in connection with an ongoing probe into the SNP’s finances on Sunday.
Ms Sturgeon was questioned for around seven hours on Sunday before she was released at about 5.25pm as part of the police investigation which began in July 2021.
She was the third, high-profile SNP politician to be arrested in connection with alleged irregularities in the party’s finances after complaints were raised almost two years ago.
After being released from custody pending further investigation on Sunday, the former SNP leader tweeted her “shock” and “distress” at the situation.
She said: “To find myself in the situation I did today when I am certain I have committed no offence is both a shock and deeply distressing.
“I know that this ongoing investigation is difficult for people, and I am grateful that so many continue to show faith in me and appreciate that I would never do anything to harm either the SNP or the country.”
Ms Sturgeon went on to say that she was “innocent of any wrongdoing,” adding: “Obviously, given the nature of this process, I cannot go into detail.
“However, I do wish to say this, and to do so in the strongest possible terms. Innocence is not just a presumption I am entitled to in law. I know beyond doubt that I am in fact innocent of any wrongdoing.”
Innocence is not just a presumption I am entitled to in law. I know beyond doubt that I am in fact innocent of any wrongdoing
Ms Sturgeon thanked her family and friends for giving her “much-needed strength” at this time and said she would take a “day or two” to process the latest development.
The statement finished: “To the many people who have sent messages of support over these past difficult weeks – including since today’s news broke – thank you for your kindness.
“Thank you also to my close circle of family and friends who are giving me much-needed strength at this time.
“Finally, while I will take a day or two to process this latest development, I intend to be back in Parliament soon where I will continue to represent my Glasgow Southside constituents to the very best of my ability.”
Police opened an investigation into the SNP’s finances in July 2021 after allegations that £600,000 raised for a potential independence referendum campaign had been diverted elsewhere.
Concerns had first been raised by the former party treasurer, Douglas Chapman MP, who resigned from the role, claiming he did not have enough information to do the job.
SNP accounts from August 2021 showed the money was “earmarked” through internal processes, though they did not officially record a separate sum.
It later emerged former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell – Ms Sturgeon’s husband – had lent the party £100,000 in June 2021 to help with a “cash flow” problem.
Mr Murrell and Colin Beattie MSP, former party treasurer, were arrested and released without charge pending further investigation, in April.
The home shared by Mr Murrell and Ms Sturgeon was one of the addresses raided by police alongside the party’s Edinburgh office.
There was no police presence at the property in Uddingston on Sunday but a police vehicle occasionally drove past the house.
Members of Scotland’s media were gathered outside the detached property, which appeared to be empty.
Opposition politicians and an MP from Ms Sturgeon’s own benches called for her to be suspended from the party.
Western Isles MP Angus MacNeil, of the SNP, tweeted: “This soap opera has gone far enough, Nicola Sturgeon suspended others from the SNP for an awful lot less.
“Time for political distance until the investigation ends either way.”
Scottish Conservatives chairman Craig Hoy said: “Nicola Sturgeon and other senior SNP figures – including Humza Yousaf – must co-operate fully with this police investigation and commit to full transparency surrounding it.
“The SNP continue to be engulfed in murkiness and chaos. Humza Yousaf must now show some leadership and suspend his predecessor from the SNP.”
