Scotland’s former First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, was arrested on Sunday, June 11, in connection with an investigation looking into how SNP’s finances were handled. She was released without charge pending further investigations later that day after being questioned.
Ms Sturgeon commented on the matter on Twitter: “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.
“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 am beyond doubt that I am in fact innocent of any wrongdoing.”
She went on to thank those who have shown her support during this period and noted that, while she will “take a day or two to process this latest development”, she intends to be back in Parliament “soon”.
But what exactly led to Nicola Sturgeon’s arrest? Here is everything we know.
STATEMENT pic.twitter.com/MlpWJGzwi0
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) June 11, 2023
What led to Nicola Sturgeon’s arrest?
The police investigation into the case that led to Sturgeon’s recent arrest began almost two years ago, when complaints about donations to the SNP by activists were made. More than £660,000 was raised while the party was preparing for a future referendum campaign.
Police Scotland decided to launch Operation Branchform to look into what happened to the money raised. This year, on April 5, officers decided to search Ms Strugeon’s home and the SNP headquarters in Edinburgh.
They also arrested Sturgeon’s husband Peter Murrell, who recently acted as the party’s chief executive officer, and seized a luxury motorhome worth £100,000 parked outside Murrell’s mother’s home in Dunfermline, Fife.
Almost two weeks later, the officers went on to arrest the SNP treasurer Colin Beattie.
Both SNP executives were held in custody for questioning before the legal restriction of 12 hours was up. However, they can be re-arrested at a later date should the police want to ask more questions.
The latest development in the case was Sturgeon’s arrest and questioning.
What will happen next?
The investigation remains open so, over the coming weeks, the force will continue to look into the case and gather more evidence.
Their findings will eventually be sent to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), which will decide if there is enough evidence to suggest criminal activity and a suspect responsible for it.
Should they think the evidence is sufficient, the case will go to court. However, if they were to judge that the evidence was insufficient, the case would be dropped.
What has SNP said about the investigation?
After Sturgeon stepped down as the leader of the SNP, Humza Yousaf was selected to become the new leader.
He revealed that he was unaware of the luxury motorhome the SNP owned until he started his new position. He also didn’t know that the party’s auditors, Johnston Carmichael, had quit back in September 2022 following a review of their client portfolio.
Talking to Holyrood magazine after the arrest of Mr Murrell, Yousaf also shared: “It was really gut-wrenching, actually; I make no bones about it.
“I have known Peter and Nicola for many, many years. They are friends of mine. They are people that have helped me throughout my political career. And, frankly, I couldn’t quite believe the news.”
