Ex-Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon reportedly arrested – National | 24CA News
Former Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who dominated politics in Scotland for years, was reportedly arrested Sunday by police investigating the funds of the governing, pro-independence Scottish National Party.
Police Scotland mentioned a 52-year-old girl was detained “as a suspect in connection with the ongoing investigation into the funding and finances of the Scottish National Party.”
“The woman is in custody and is being questioned by Police Scotland detectives,” the drive mentioned.
U.Ok. police don’t title suspects till they’re charged. The BBC and different media shops recognized the arrested girl as Sturgeon. The get together didn’t instantly remark.
According to the BBC, a spokesperson for the previous first minister mentioned: “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.”
Scottish police have been investigating how 600,000 kilos ($745,000) designated for a Scottish independence marketing campaign was spent.
Party 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 National Party chief and first minister of Scotland’s semi-autonomous authorities. She mentioned that it was the fitting 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 predominant purpose — 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 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.
© 2023 The Canadian Press
