Humza Yousaf said Colin Beattie is "innocent until proven guilty" after the SNP’s treasurer was arrested as part of a police investigation into the party’s finances.
The new SNP leader and First Minister of Scotland said he had not suspended Mr Beattie from the party despite calls to do so from opposition parties.
Asked the question about suspension by reporters at Holyrood this lunchtime, Mr Yousaf said: "I have said already that people are innocent until proven guilty."
Mr Yousaf said he was "surprised" by the arrest and described it as a "very serious matter indeed".
Mr Yousaf is due to deliver a speech this afternoon setting out his vision for Scotland and he was asked if today’s arrest could derail the address.
He said: "It certainly is not helpful, of course… I’m still determined to articulate what my vision is as the new leader."
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