The SNP has confirmed former leader Nicola Sturgeon will not be suspended amid a police probe into the party’s funding and finances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The former first minister was arrested on Sunday morning and questioned for around seven hours before being released without charge pending further investigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Monday, the party confirmed it will not be removing Ms Sturgeon, who is still an MSP, from the party.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Responding to calls to suspend the 52-year-old, First Minister Humza Yousaf told BBC Scotland: “I’ll not suspend Nicola’s membership. I’ll treat her in the same way I’ve treated, for example, Colin Beattie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Those that have been released without charge, I see no reason to suspend their membership.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following her release from custody, Ms Sturgeon said she would “never do anything to harm either the SNP or the country” and described the situation as a “shock and deeply distressing”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She added: “Obviously, given the nature of this process, I cannot go into detail. However, I do wish to say this, and to do so in the strongest possible terms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“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.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Police Scotland launched Operation Branchform into the SNP’s funding and finances back in 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The long-running inquiry is linked to the spending of around \u00a3600,000 raised by supporters to be earmarked for Scottish independence campaigning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her husband, ex-SNP chief executive Peter Murrell, and former SNP treasurer Colin Beattie were both arrested and later released without charge back in April.<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The SNP has confirmed former leader Nicola Sturgeon will not be suspended amid a police probe into the party’s funding and finances. The former first minister was arrested on Sunday … <\/p>\n