Nicola Sturgeon has been arrested in the investigation into the SNP’s finances, Police Scotland have said.
Police Scotland said she is in custody and is being questioned by detectives.
The force said: “A 52-year-old woman has today, Sunday, June 11, been arrested as a suspect in connection with the ongoing investigation into the funding and finances of the Scottish National Party.”
The former first minister’s arrest comes after her husband Peter Murrell was arrested in April.
Mr Murrell and MSP Colin Beattie, who was SNP treasurer at the time, were both released without charge pending further inquiry.
As well as the arrests, searches were carried out at a number of properties, including Mr Murrell and Ms Sturgeon’s home – where a police tent was erected in the garden – and SNP headquarters in Edinburgh.
The police investigation – dubbed Operation Branchform – began in 2021, reaching its peak in April this year with the arrests of Nicola Sturgeon’s husband – and former SNP chief executive – Peter Murrell and then party treasurer Colin Beattie.
Both men were released without charge pending further investigation.
The image of a police tent on the lawn of the former first minister’s home was widely shared (Andrew Milligan/PA)
As well as the arrests, searches were carried out at a number of properties, including Mr Murrell and Ms Sturgeon’s home – where a police tent was erected in the garden – and SNP headquarters in Edinburgh.
Some close to the party – including its former head of communications, Murray Foote, and ex-Sturgeon aide Noel Dolan – viewed the actions of police as heavy handed.
Nicola Sturgeon resigned as First Minister of Scotland and leader of the SNP earlier this year. She had been in post since 2014.
Born in 1970, in Irvine, Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon entered politics at a young age and became a member of the SNP in her teens. She studied law at the University of Glasgow and worked as a solicitor before becoming involved in politics full-time.
Sturgeon's political career was focused on Scottish independence and advocating for Scotland's interests within the United Kingdom. She served as Deputy First Minister of Scotland from 2007 to 2014 under then-First Minister Alex Salmond, before assuming the role of First Minister herself.
As First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon led the Scottish Government, overseeing areas such as health, education, justice, and the economy. She was also a prominent figure in Brexit negotiations, advocating for Scotland's interests and seeking to protect Scotland's relationship with the European Union.
Sturgeon was a key figure in the SNP's pursuit of a second independence referendum for Scotland, with the goal of separating from the United Kingdom. Her leadership brought increased attention to Scottish politics and the issue of independence.
