Nicola Sturgeon Released Without Charge After SNP Finance Probe Arrest
1 min read
Nicola Sturgeon, the former first minister of Scotland, has been released without charge pending further investigation after being arrested in connection with the investigation into the Scottish National Party's finances.
In a statement on Sunday afternoon, Police Scotland said that a 52 year old woman who had been arrested earlier in the day had been released from custody at 5:24pm.
A spokesperson for Sturgeon told the BBC earlier today she was cooperating with the investigation.
"Nicola Sturgeon has today, Sunday 11 June, by arrangement with Police Scotland, attended an interview where she was to be arrested and questioned in relation to Operation Branchform.
"Nicola has consistently said she would cooperate with the investigation if asked and continues to do so," they said.
Police have previously searched the house shared by Sturgeon and her husband, the party’s former chief executive Peter Murrell.
Murrell was previously arrested as part of the probe along with ex-treasurer Colin Beattie.
Both men were subsequently released without charge pending further inquiries.
Police Scotland's Operation Branchform is looking into £600,000 of funding that was donated to the SNP after the party sought to raise funds for a second independence referendum.
Sturgeon resigned as Scotland's first minister and SNP leader earlier this year.
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