Former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, a prominent figure in Scottish politics, was arrested and questioned by police regarding the finances of the governing Scottish National Party (SNP). The investigation, known as Operation Branchform, centers around the allocation of £600,000 ($745,000) earmarked for a Scottish independence campaign. Sturgeon, who was released without charge after several hours of questioning, expressed her shock and distress at the arrest. She affirmed her innocence and vowed to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation. Sturgeon resigned unexpectedly in February after leading the SNP and serving as first minister for eight years, leaving behind a party grappling with internal divisions and unresolved aspirations for Scottish independence.
Following a two-year covert investigation into the SNP’s finances, Nicola Sturgeon, the former Scottish First Minister, was arrested and questioned by police in connection with the ongoing probe. The investigation focuses on the allocation of £600,000 designated for a Scottish independence campaign. Sturgeon’s arrest comes after the previous detainment and questioning of party treasurer Colin Beattie and former chief executive Peter Murrell, who is also Sturgeon’s husband. Although both individuals have yet to be charged, police conducted a search of Sturgeon and Murrell’s home in Glasgow. Sturgeon, who stepped down as first minister in February, maintains her innocence and has pledged her full cooperation with the investigation.
Nicola Sturgeon, the influential former Scottish First Minister, has been arrested and subjected to questioning as part of an investigation into the financial activities of the Scottish National Party (SNP). The probe, dubbed Operation Branchform, is centered around the usage of £600,000 ($745,000) allocated for a campaign supporting Scottish independence. After being detained for several hours, Sturgeon was released without charge pending further investigation. In a statement on social media, she expressed her shock and deep distress at the arrest while adamantly asserting her innocence. Sturgeon’s resignation in February, following her leadership of the SNP and as Scotland’s first minister for eight years, created a power struggle within the party, highlighting internal divisions and the unresolved issue of Scottish independence.
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