LONDON: Nicola Sturgeon, the former leader of Scotland, was arrested on Sunday as part of an investigation into financial irregularities involving the Scottish National Party (SNP), according to police and UK media reports.
In a statement, Police Scotland confirmed that a 52-year-old woman, identified as Sturgeon by British media, was arrested as a suspect in connection with the ongoing investigation into the funding and finances of the SNP. She is currently in custody and being questioned by detectives.
This arrest marks the third in the probe, which has sent shockwaves through Scotland’s political system. Sturgeon’s husband, Peter Murrell, who served as the former chief executive of the SNP, was arrested in April as part of the same investigation.
Murrell has faced scrutiny regarding the alleged diversion of £600,000 ($750,000) in SNP donations, which were intended to support the party’s pursuit of Scottish independence. Additionally, he was criticized for not disclosing a personal loan to the SNP exceeding £100,000, potentially violating laws related to political funding transparency. Murrell was later released without charges, pending further investigation.
Colin Beattie, the party treasurer, was also arrested in April but was subsequently released.
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Sturgeon, who made her final appearance as Scotland’s First Minister in the Scottish Parliament in March, had previously announced her intention to retire a month earlier.
The arrest of Nicola Sturgeon in the ongoing financial probe has raised significant concerns and is likely to have far-reaching implications for Scotland’s political landscape. Further details and developments in the investigation are awaited as the case continues to unfold.
