Former Scottish first minister, Nicola Sturgeon was arrested yesterday but has been released without charge pending further investigations.
The arrest came in connection with the ongoing, 2-year Operation Branchform probe which seeks to uncover what happened to £660,000 of donations given to the Scottish National Party by independence activists for use in a future independence referendum campaign.
After being questioned by detectives for 12 hours, she was released from custody at 17:24, issuing a statement saying: “I know beyond doubt that I am innocent of any wrongdoing”.
Her statement on Twitter noted her “shock” at being arrested.
“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.”
She added: “Innocence is not just a presumption I am entitled to in law. I know beyond doubt that I am in fact innocent of any wrongdoing.”
Thanking people for their support, the former first minister also thanked her family for “much-needed strength at this time”.
“While I will take a day or two to process this latest development, I intend to be back in Parliament soon where I will continue to represent my Glasgow Southside constituents to the very best of my ability”, the statement ended.
Sturgeon’s husband, former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell, was arrested on April 5 by officers who searched the couple’s home in Glasgow. The party’s treasurer Colin Beattie was also arrested with both men released pending further investigations. Beattie resigned as treasurer shortly after.
On February 15 this year, Nicola sturgeon made the shock announcement that she would be standing down as both SNP leader and first minister once a successor was elected, with Humza Yousaf taking reins as her replacement. Yousaf is now facing calls from opposition politicians to suspend Sturgeon from the party.
Sturgeon said at the time of her step down that she knew “in my head and in my heart” that it was the right time to go.