Nicola Sturgeon has said an investigation into the SNP’s finances which resulted in the arrest of her husband has been “unexpected and unwelcome”.
Peter Murrell, the party's former chief executive, was arrested and questioned for several hours on April 5 before being released without charge.
The home the couple share in Glasgow was also searched for two days by officers in connection to Operation Branchform.
Colin Beattie, the SNP former treasurer, was questioned by police on April 15 before being released.
“Sometimes it feels that there is scarcely time to breathe, let alone think. And if that is true in normal times, it was even more so during the long, difficult months of Covid," Sturgeon said in a column in the Glasgow Times.
“To go from 16 years of that to being a backbencher – still an incredibly busy job but without the weight of government responsibility – was always going to be a difficult transition.
“And, of course, since I stepped down, there have been unexpected and unwelcome developments that I am not able to expand upon here, but which have made this period even more challenging.
“However, in spite of that, I am enjoying the new perspective and different focus that comes with no longer being first minister.”
Sturgeon added: "Throughout my time in government, I have always worked hard to do the best for my constituents.
“However, having even more time now to spend in the Southside is something I relish.
“There are many issues facing my constituents – for example, housing, the quality of the environment, transport links, access to health services – that I will raise and, where necessary, campaign on from the backbenches.
“I look forward to highlighting the many positive developments happening across the Southside, from the achievements of young people in our schools to new community and housing projects and the redevelopment of the iconic Citizens Theatre, to name just a few.
“Of course, my constituents, like people across the country, are affected by national trends and issues too.
“Top of that list right now is the cost-of-living crisis.”
Sturgeon said she remained “proud” of the work her Government did to mitigate the cost-of-living crisis, “including the ongoing extension of free school meals”.
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