FILE – Nicola Sturgeon speaks throughout a press convention at Bute Home in Edinburgh, Wednesday, Feb. 15 2023. Former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has been arrested by police investigating the funds of Scotland’s pro-independence governing get together. Police Scotland mentioned a 52-year-old girl was detained Sunday “as a suspect in reference to the continued investigation into the funding and funds of the Scottish Nationwide Occasion.” (Jane Barlow/Pool photograph by way of AP, File)
LONDON (AP) — Former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who dominated politics in Scotland for years, was arrested Sunday by police investigating the funds of the governing, pro-independence Scottish Nationwide Occasion.
Police Scotland mentioned a 52-year-old girl was detained “as a suspect in reference to the continued investigatn into the funding and funds of the Scottish Nationwide Occasion.”
“The girl is in custody and is being questioned by Police Scotland detectives,” the drive mentioned.
U.Okay. police don’t identify suspects till they’re charged. The BBC and different media shops recognized the arrested girl as Sturgeon. The get together didn’t instantly remark.
Scottish police have been investigating how 600,000 kilos ($745,000) designated for a Scottish independence marketing campaign was spent.
Occasion treasurer Colin Beattie and former chief government Peter Murrell had been arrested beforehand and questioned as a part of the investigation. Neither has been charged.
Murrell is Sturgeon’s husband, and police searched the couple’s house in Glasgow after his arrest in April.
Sturgeon unexpectedly resigned in February after eight years as Scottish Nationwide Occasion chief and first minister of Scotland’s semi-autonomous authorities. She mentioned that it was the best time for her, her get together and her nation to make method for another person.
Sturgeon left workplace amid divisions within the SNP and together with her important objective — independence from the U.Okay. for the nation of 5.5 million folks — unmet.
Scottish voters backed remaining within the U.Okay. 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.Okay. 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 about the very best path in the direction of independence.
