11-6-2023 (LONDON) Nicola Sturgeon, the former first minister of Scotland and former leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP), has been taken into custody as part of an ongoing investigation into the party’s funding and finances. Acting as a suspect, Sturgeon is currently being questioned by detectives from Police Scotland.
In an official statement, Police Scotland confirmed the arrest, stating, “A 52-year-old woman has today, Sunday, 11 June 2023, been arrested as a suspect in connection with the ongoing investigation into the funding and finances of the Scottish National Party.” The statement further revealed that Sturgeon is in custody and is undergoing questioning by the police.
Upon completion of the investigation, a comprehensive report will be submitted to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. A spokesperson representing Sturgeon addressed the situation, saying, “Nicola Sturgeon has today, Sunday 11 June, attended an interview as arranged with Police Scotland, where she was subsequently arrested and questioned in relation to Operation Branchform. Nicola has consistently expressed her willingness to cooperate with the investigation, and she continues to do so.”
Sturgeon’s arrest marks the latest development in Police Scotland’s Operation Branchform, which aims to uncover the whereabouts of £600,000 that was designated for a second independence referendum. Allegations have surfaced suggesting that these funds may have been misused and spent elsewhere, deviating from their intended purpose.
This recent detainment follows the previous arrests of Colin Beattie, the party treasurer, and Peter Murrell, former chief executive of the SNP and Sturgeon’s husband. Both Beattie and Murrell were subsequently released without charges. As part of the investigation, the police have previously conducted searches at the SNP headquarters and the residences of Sturgeon and Murrell. Additionally, a luxury motorhome worth £100,000 was seized from outside Murrell’s mother’s house in Dunfermline, Fife.
The SNP has emphasized its full cooperation with the investigation, stating that it will continue to do so in order to assist the authorities in uncovering the truth. Sturgeon’s arrest further intensifies the scandal surrounding Scotland’s largest political party, coming only a few months after her resignation as party leader and first minister in February. At the time of her departure, Sturgeon cited the toll the position took on her and those around her as her reason for stepping down.
However, the subsequent arrest of Peter Murrell has created a sense of upheaval, overshadowing the new leadership of Humza Yousaf, who won a contentious and divisive leadership race to replace Sturgeon in March. Yousaf recently admitted that he had been unaware of the SNP’s ownership of the £100,000 motorhome until assuming the role of party leader. Furthermore, he revealed his lack of knowledge regarding the departure of the SNP’s long-standing auditors, Johnston Carmichael, in September 2022. The party had faced pressure to secure new auditors to meet the Electoral Commission’s deadline for filing its accounts by 7 July, under the risk of incurring fines.
Ian Murray MP, the Labour Party’s shadow secretary for Scotland, expressed deep concern over Sturgeon’s arrest, emphasizing the need for an unhindered investigation by Police Scotland. Murray criticized the prevailing culture of secrecy and cover-up within the SNP, which he believes has resulted in a dysfunctional government failing the Scottish people. He called on Humza Yousaf to disclose any information he possesses, asserting that the citizens of Scotland deserve answers.
The arrest of Nicola Sturgeon adds another layer of complexity to the investigation into SNP finances, casting a shadow over the party’s leadership and raising questions about its financial practices. As the legal proceedings unfold, the Scottish public awaits further developments and eagerly seeks clarity and transparency regarding the allegations surrounding the party’s funding.
