LONDON — Former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who dominated politics in Scotland for nearly a decade, was arrested Sunday by police investigating the funds of the governing, pro-independence Scottish Nationwide Social gathering.
Police Scotland stated a 52-year-old girl was detained “as a suspect in reference to the continuing investigation into the funding and funds of the Scottish Nationwide Social gathering.”
“The girl is in custody and is being questioned by Police Scotland detectives,” the drive stated, with out naming Sturgeon. British police don’t determine suspects till they’re charged.
A spokesperson for Sturgeon stated the previous first minister voluntarily attended an interview with police and would cooperate with the drive’s investigation.
The SNP stated the get together had been “cooperating absolutely with this investigation and can proceed to take action. Nevertheless it’s not applicable to publicly tackle any points whereas that investigation is ongoing.”
Scottish police have been investigating how 600,000 kilos ($745,000) designated for a Scottish independence marketing campaign was spent.
Two former SNP officers, Colin Beattie, who was treasurer, and Peter Murrell, who was chief govt, had been beforehand arrested and questioned as a part of the investigation. Neither has been charged.
Murrell is Sturgeon’s husband, and police searched the couple’s dwelling in Glasgow after his arrest in April.
Sturgeon unexpectedly resigned in February after eight years as Scottish Nationwide Social gathering chief and first minister of Scotland’s semi-autonomous authorities. She stated that it was the precise time for her, her get together and her nation to make manner for another person.
The primary feminine chief of Scotland’s devolved authorities, Sturgeon led her get together to dominance in Scottish politics and refashioned the SNP from a largely one-issue get together right into a dominant governing drive with liberal social positions.
She guided her get together throughout three U.Ok.-wide elections and two Scottish elections, and led Scotland by way of the coronavirus pandemic, successful reward for her clear, measured communication model.
However Sturgeon left workplace amid divisions within the SNP and together with her fundamental aim — independence from the U.Ok. for the nation of 5.5 million folks — unmet.
Scottish voters backed remaining within the U.Ok. in a 2014 referendum that was billed as a once-in-a-generation resolution. The get together needs a brand new vote, however the U.Ok. Supreme Court docket has dominated that Scotland can’t maintain one with out London’s consent. The central authorities has refused to authorize one other referendum.
Sturgeon’s departure unleashed a tussle for the way forward for the SNP amid recriminations over the get together’s declining membership and divisions over the most effective path in the direction of independence.